Navi Mumbai: The civic house had passed a resolution that no integrated cluster redevelopment project be cleared until its impact on infrastructure is studied. Overriding that, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde's urban development department has given the go-ahead to five large cluster projects in Vashi and Ghansoli. Forest minister Ganesh Naik has warned he will move court against the decision.
Cluster projects on over 1.25 lakh square metres in Ghansoli and Vashi were awaiting clearance. A high-power committee chaired by municipal commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde had approved three of them. The civic general body had resolved to stay all cluster projects.
Naik said the local authority alone has the full right to decide on the city's infrastructure and that the UD department has bypassed that rule. 'The municipal corporation is an autonomous body. I will not allow URS in spacious societies without crowding, come what may. If needed, I will go to court myself,' he warned.
If the scheme is forced on societies that are in good shape while crowded colonies are spared, the FSI needed by the original residents will not survive, Naik said. The general body has decided to prepare an impact assessment report for the whole city and will appoint an expert agency for it.
Kishor Patkar, district chief of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), accused Naik and his supporters of blocking the projects. 'When redevelopment of dangerous, unliveable buildings is stopped, who will take responsibility for the safety of the residents there?' he asked.
Power in the civic body has become a running battle between two big leaders, Shinde and Naik. The UD department's decision on Monday lifted the stay on all cluster projects before the high-power committee, a sharp blow to Naik's camp.
Speaking at the launch of Aarogyavardhini health centres, Naik warned his rivals. 'If opponents mend their ways, fine. Otherwise I will set them straight my way. The next six months will show everyone,' he said. With the city facing a water shortage, he ordered a stop to the use of drinking water for construction, washing vehicles and other work, and flagged his displeasure that Maharashtra Jeevan Authority is not giving Navi Mumbai its due share of water.