MUMBAI, Apr 29 (UNI): Preliminary plans are in progress to reconstruct dilapidated buildings in Mumbai with Maharashtra Government giving clearance in principle to set up an 'empowered technical committee' for this purpose.
The clearance has been given at the initiative of Remaking of Mumbai Federation (RoMF), a voluntary group, which has also roped in a world famous structural engineer, David Scott to lend a helping hand towards this venture.
To execute the plan with Public-Private cooperation, a company with a share capital of Rs 10,000 to 15,000 crore raised from tenants and landlords is to be incorporated soon, the RoMF Convenor and Chairman and Lok Housing Group Managing Director Lalit Gandhi told UNI.
He said RoMF, with the support of around 50 associations, institutions, chambers and NGOs who represent millions of stakeholders in this commercial capital of India, shall extend all possible assistance to the venture.
RoMF is led by a core founding committee comprising among others former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati, HDFC Limited Chairman Deepak Parekh and former Municipal commissioner Girish Gokhale, Mr Gandhi said.
The city has 19,000 old buildings mostly located in the island city.
At least 16,000 of these date back to 1940s, and many of them are in dilapidated conditions.
Around 1,400 buildings were built between 1940 and 1960.
The RoMF has sought state government's approval to transform the C-ward (Chirabazaar-Kalbadevi area) as a pilot project into a modern, ecological and a futuristic Mumbai.
Through grassroot engagement with the residents of the area (126 mohalla committees), RoMF has received consent from all the residents.
The plan accounts for residents, tenants, landlords and small shopkeepers in a manner that has not yet been tried and that satisfies everyone.
The plan includes skywalks, large open spaces, water bodies, places of religious faiths, and works.
Most importantly, RoMF has included all political parties - Shiv Sena, BJP, Congress, NCP - to endorse the project, Mr Gandhi said, adding that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has agreed in principle and will be making the formal announcement soon.
The RoMF has already signed a MoU with Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) for its pilot project to reconstruct these buildings.
''We have forged a political consensus to push this project and see to it that it comes true in our lifetime,'' one of the BJP MLAs Raj Purohit flanked by Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Desai and Congress MLA Bhai Jagtap said on the sidelines of a function to honour CTBUH Chairman Mr Scott.
CTBUH is an international body that does planning, design, construction and operation of tall buildings and urban areas.
The first 'model' phase of the plan to reconstruct 16,500 dilapidated building is expected to be completed in five to seven years.
''We shall blend experiences of makeover of all old cities in the world to undertake Mumbai makeover plan,'' Mr Scott said, adding that it is perfect time to rebuild this historical city with equal importance to its roots and contemporary realities.
Scott is also the CEO of Arup group that has consulted for the Hyderabad Airport, Bandra-Worli Sea link in Mumbai and the proposed revamp of New Delhi Railway Station, among others.
Mr Scott has deep experience in structural engineering and has actively participated in transforming many urban centres in south east and Middle East Asia.
Illegal arms manufacturing factory busted, 3 arrested in Mahoba SHILLONG, Apr 29 (UNI): The Meghalaya Police have busted an illegal arms manufacturing factory and arrested three arms smugglers at Phudjaud village in West Khasi Hills District.
Police said here today two country-made pistols and other equipment for making weapons were seized from the smugglers yesterday.
Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang said acting on a tip-off, a raid was conducted in the arms factory, which was being operated on a large scale.
A case has been registered and an operation launched to arrest other members involved.
Six poachers arrested in Meghalaya SHILLONG, Apr 29 (UNI): Six poachers were arrested for killing a barking deer and wild boar near Nongkrem village, Khri Synnia in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district yesterday, Wildlife officials said here today.
They said meat and skins of the animals were also seized from the accused.
The accused were booked under various Sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and produced before a Magistrate here for legal action.
As per Section 51 of the Act, any person found involved in poaching is liable to imprisonment for three years or a fine of Rs 25,000 or both.
