Mumbai: BMC Begins Manori–Gorai Development Plan Process, Residents Fear Desalination Plant Reservation

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced the initial phase of creating a Development Plan (DP) for the Manori–Gorai notified area, sparking concerns among residents that the plan may allocate land for a proposed desalination plant at Manori. The civic body has opened a public consultation period, inviting feedback on its proposal to draft the DP for Gorai and Manori.

Interested parties can submit their comments online or at BMC headquarters. The Manori–Gorai villages, part of a notified area comprising eight villages, were previously reserved under the Recreational and Tourism Development Zone, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority acting as the Special Planning Authority.

However, recent decisions have elevated both municipal corporations to planning authority status, prompting BMC to revise the DP for the area within its jurisdiction. The DP department insists the revised plan is not tied to any specific project, including the desalination plant, and will focus on studying land use and seeking opinions from the revenue department.

Despite this, locals and fishermen, who have vehemently opposed the Manori desalination project, warn that while the DP process isn't directly linked to the plant, there remains a risk of land reservation later on. They urge residents to actively participate and submit their objections, particularly to protect traditional settlements and ensure compliance with existing planning regulations.