The Maharashtra Urban Development Department has approved Navi Mumbai’s long-pending revised Development Plan (DP) on July 23, marking a key milestone in the city’s planning process. The approval comes with notable changes, including the rejection of a controversial proposal to develop 300 acres of regional park land in Adivali-Bhutavali, and the temporary retention of critical wetland zones, following strong objections from environmental groups.
Controversial Regional Park Proposal Rejected
The Urban Development Department has also ordered fresh hearings on nearly 200 reservations included in the plan. Citizens have been given a 30-day window to submit objections and suggestions, reinforcing public participation in shaping the city's future. Inputs can be submitted to the Deputy Director of Town Planning (Konkan Division), Assistant Director (Thane Branch) or the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s planning office.
The DP has been cleared in two sections — Annexure 'A' and Annexure 'B'. While all changes in Annexure ‘A’ have received final approval, those in Annexure ‘B’ have been stayed temporarily and will go through another round of public consultation.
One of the major decisions welcomed by environmentalists is the rejection of the proposal to convert 300 acres of greenbelt land in Adivali-Bhutavali into residential and commercial zones. The land, earmarked as a regional park, had drawn opposition from activists who argued it was vital for ecological balance.
Wetlands Temporarily Retained Amid Ongoing Activism
Environmental concerns have also led to the temporary retention of wetlands along Palm Beach Road, particularly in the DPS, TS Chanakya, and NRI lake areas all known habitats for migratory birds like flamingos. "These areas are critical, and we’re glad they’ve been safeguarded for now,” said environmentalist Sunil Agarwal, who has long campaigned for the protection of Navi Mumbai's wetlands.
NatConnect Foundation, which had campaigned extensively for the wetlands' inclusion, launched a fresh awareness drive urging the government to notify these water bodies as official wetlands. Foundation Director B N Kumar said, “The three major wetlands are safe, but we now urge the government to formally declare them as protected, including Lotus Lake at Sector-27, Nerul, which CIDCO has marked for residential use.”
According to Kumar, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has already documented these areas as wetlands under the National Wetland Inventory Atlas, and notification is now a “mere formality.” NatConnect accessed these details under the RTI Act.
CIDCO’s Silence Fuels Environmental Concerns
While NMMC has proposed maintaining these wetlands as flamingo sanctuaries and eco-tourism hubs, CIDCO has not responded to the proposal, further fueling tension between development and environmental preservation, Kumar added.
. Balancing Urban Growth and Ecology Remains a Challenge
Despite the environmental wins, the revised DP has converted several public parking plots in Nerul, Vashi, and the MIDC zone into residential and commercial zones, raising concerns about congestion and shrinking public infrastructure. Additionally, some DP roads are planned through CRZ zones and other restricted areas, which could further strain the city’s green cover.
