BMC to extend deadline for views on ELU survey, again

For the third time, BMC is likely to extend, by at least a month, the deadline for inviting suggestions and objections from citizens to land use (ELU) survey. BMC has stretched the deadline twice by a fortnight since January 24.

The survey is significant in drafting the 2014-2024 development plan.

"We are holding a meeting to decide the deadline, but most probably it will be extended by at least 15 days," said standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale. Officials in the development plan (DP) department confirmed the likely extension.

After a number of complaints of discrepancies in ELU mapping, BMC put its maps online for scrutiny by citizens.

According to BMC, it will take some time to compile the list of suggestions and objections. "What we have seen so far in the suggestions and objections submitted is that many citizens have confused existing land use with planned land use (PLU). Also, there is a likelihood of repetitions in suggestions," said chief engineer of DP department R S Kuknur.

"Of the suggestions received so far, 60 -80 per cent are repeat or pertain to PLU. Only 20 per cent pertain to ELU. A check reveals only 10 per cent are real errors in mapping," said another senior official in the DP department.

Kuknur also defended BMC mapping, saying, "Citizen groups have objected saying we have not marked certain things as heritage structures or religious sites but actually there are layers to the mapping which we have yet to superimpose."

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