Won't allow city's SDZs to be developed, says CM

The city's no-development zones (NDZ), now renamed special development zones (SDZ), are likely to remain untouched.

- Clara Lewis

Mumbai:  Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has refused to sanction any construction on these SDZS, saying it will harm the environment.

Over 30 SDZs were proposed to be carved out of NDZs in the Development Plan-2034, the city's newest. "The period for changing land use to allow construction on SDZs in the Development Plan (DP) ends on July 28," said Bhushan Gagrani, additional chief secretary, state urban development department. No further extension will be granted after this deadline.

The city has approximately 3,734 hectares of SDZS, which is approximately 8.59% of the city's land mass.

Activists welcome SDZ move, cite threat of rising sea levels

Mumbai: Activists have welcomed the state government's decision to bar construction on the city's Special Development Zones, given the impact of rising sea levels on the city on account of climate change.

Government officials said CM Uddhav Thackeray has been of the view that allowing uncontrolled development in the SDZs would harm the environment.