Thane Municipal Corporation gives reserved plots to developers

The Thane Municipal Corporation got a policy passed in the Genera body that will allow them to sell reserved plot for school, recreation ground and others to developers at 125 per cent of the ready reckoner rate. The developer, in turn, has to construct the amenity earmarked on the plot in 40 per cent area and remaining can be used by developer. Environmentalists have termed it a bad idea as, they claim once the land is gone to a developer then it's gone forever.

Confirming the policy decision SH Gohil, Assistant Town Planner of Thane Municipal corporation, said, "The policy states that plots with reservations, will be sold to the developers. The developer will have to pay 125 per cent of the ready reckoner rate of the plot. The developer then will have to construct the amenity for which the land is reserved on the 40 per cent of the total land. This amenity has to be handed over to the Corporation free of cost."

On the remaining 60 per cent of the land, the developer will be allowed to carry out construction. "The developer can use the 100 per cent FSI available on the land for carrying out construction," said Gohil.

This will mean a lot of find in terms of sale of land for the municipal corporation. The senior officials in Corporation say, this is a win win situation for All. "Corproation shall get money, citizens will get amenities like school, play ground and others. Though the rate of 125 per cent is high, non availability of land in the city limits will fetch Corporation food amount," said a senior officials.

However, environmentalists have panned the idea, they say once an open land is lost it's gone forever. Rishi Agarwal, environmentalists puts it this way, the developer will benefit with this policy and open spaces will be gone. "There are very few open spaces we need to protect them and not serve the developers on a platter to generate revenue. Also, when a developer takes the land and even if they develop the amenity there are many examples to prove these amenities are my much of use for common people. This whole move is objectionable and thought on how to generate revenue instead of giving away open spaces reserved for amenities be thought about," he said.

While the Corporation didn't give any specific number on how many open spaces with reservation exist, it could be huge in number several hectares of land.

Meanwhile, an official claimed that this will help the land from being usurped by illegal encroachment like slums or others.