‘Ensure transparency in planning, check vested interests’

Mumbai, October 28: As the focus of urban renewal shifts to the vastly untapped Mumbai Metropolitan Region — comprising Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, Nallasopara, Vasai, Virar, etc — the next step is the formation of an umbrella planning panel for this region, the Metropolitan Planning Committee.

But former municipal commissioner Jamsheed Kanga is vexed by its proposed composition — four outside experts alongside nearly 50 politicians and bureaucrats representing various regions and parastatal bodies. “These are the very people responsible for drawing up plans for investment and infrastructure,” he says. “How can they also be responsible for assessing them?” He tells Kavitha Iyer why Mumbaiites should be vigilant.

Assuming the Metropolitan Planning Committee has too little representation of experts and planners, it is still proceeding exactly as per the law enacted in 2000. Then, why the opposition now?
It is true that citizens were not vigilant when the legislature enacted the law in 2000. However, it is impossible for NGOs to be constantly vigilant and assuming bad faith on the part of government. Since the facts have now been noticed, we have to try to improve the situation by somehow ensuring more expert participation in the metropolitan planning process, maybe informally. I feel that various citizens’ groups such as Bombay First, Round Table, Citispace, AGNI and others can jointly approach the chief minister, and point this out. We could request that before the plans are submitted to the MPC, the opinion of these bodies, or a group of reputed experts, be elicited. A public meeting could be held and various views taken and placed before the MPC, whenever any major changes in the Development Plan are envisaged. This way MPC may have a chance to consider them before taking a decision.

We should also put the government on notice that we will be watching the MPC’s deliberations. Another way would be to assist the non official/elected members of MPC by advising them when plans are being considered by them. There are always some good persons who help us, and they can be our spokesmen. After all they are elected by us and are supposed to represent us and work for us.

The World Bank has shown a willingness to offer financial assistance of nearly Rs 25,000 crore for the development of the Mumbai metropolitan region. This means the Metropolitan Planning Committee will soon be flooded with plans and proposals for mega-projects. Is a single group of 54 politicians and bureaucrats an adequate decision-making body?
Obviously the committee as now constituted will be unable to check the plans properly, and will rely on the bureaucrats in the group. At the most they will ensure that their constituencies benefit. Perhaps, we could request the World Bank to convince the government of the need for more expert participation and openness. There will, therefore, be a need for greater vigilance. We expect the media to be also vigilant, and work in partnership with NGOs for the citizens’ benefit.

What is a creative alternative?
Maybe NGOs can hold parallel open meetings and discuss the proposals before the MPC, and submit their recommendations to the MPC. This will ensure transparency and check vested interests.

As the government plans a major urban overhaul, with several plans and proposals for funding from the World Bank, international financial institutions and the Centre, how should the administration ensure that stakeholders’ active participation in planning and urban renewal schemes become a reality? And how can citizens ensure that the consultative process is transparent and inclusive?

Firstly, there must be a desire on the part of the administration that such active participation is necessary and desirable. Unfortunately that is lacking and they feel that they know what is best and are capable of protecting the stakeholders’ interest. A prime example of this is the current move to gift recreational grounds and playgrounds to private groups under the ‘caretaker’ scheme. Also, the BMC has sufficient resources to look after open spaces. Remember, Mumbai has only 0.015 acres of open space per 1000 population, when Delhi has almost 4 acres per 1000 people. The only way the citizens can ensure transparency is by more vigilance and interaction with the bureaucrats and committee members who are helpful. The media can also contribute a lot!