Mumbai is likely to be provided a special status under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act for faster clearance of projects meant for redevelopment of the financial capital.
"We are considering to give a special status to Mumbai under CRZ Act to resolve issues regarding development and redevelopment of the city," Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.
For this purpose, local-specific amendments would have to be carried out in the CRZ Act, he said during the public hearing on Coastal Management Zone.
"The economic capital of the country has peculiar problems and requirements and therefore changes have to be made in the CRZ Act to provide the city a special status," he said.
The special status envisages housing and right to employment for economically weaker sections, especially the fisherfolks, Ramesh said. The housing projects along the coasts will be undertaken by the state government with state funding and not by the private builders, he said.
The move follows recommendation of the M S Swaminathan Committee report that a separate legislation on the lines of the Traditional Forest Dwellers Act 2006 was needed. The Committee recognises special needs of Mumbai and redevelopment of existing properties.
The redevelopment can be allowed without jeopardising the regulatory control, so essential for coastal areas, Ramesh said.
