Two multi-level parking facilities and a premium residential tower are now being planned on a plot originally meant to be used for the zoo’s extension.
The plot, admeasuring 6.26 lakh sq ft, is situated behind the zoo and is under the possession of Mafatlal Industries Ltd. The land was originally reserved in the development plan for the purpose of ‘extension of the zoo’.
On February 10, 2004, the state urban development department modified the reservation on 50% of the land to allow “the firm to partly revive its cotton mill operations, which were carried out on the plot till June 2000”. The mill closed operations after being declared sick by the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).
At the time of modification of the reservation, the government had directed the firm to hand over 50% of the land, excluding the setback area, on which the zoo reservation had been retained, to the BMC on non-cash compensation basis.
The development on the released portion had to be carried out in accordance with regulation 58 of the development control norms, which required Mafatlal to surrender two-third portion of the released land to the BMC and Mhada for public use.
The firm was also expected to restart mill activity by recommencing spindle spinning operations. Also, funds from the commercial exploits had to be used to settle dues.
While the firm’s proposal shows the portion of land which needs to be handed over to the BMC on compensation basis, it is silent on the two-third share. A small spindle spinning unit has been shown on one side of the plot. Interestingly, the firm’s was deregistered from the purview of sick units after its net worth turned positive in May this year.
Scenario in other cities
The area around Kolkata and Hyderabad zoos are strict no-development zones. Development control regulations followed in Mumbai do not specify any such restrictions
With a front view of the zoo and a back view of the Mumbai port, the residential project is likely to rank among the most prime projects being pursued.
In August this year, Mafatlal’s first announced plans to put the Byculla land on the block. Insiders said that the company is exploring the option of selling its retained portion outright or enter into a joint venture with a building firm.
