MUMBAI: A gathering of environmental and urban infrastructure experts at Mumbai Press Club on Thursday discussed the alarming outcomes of unbridled redevelopment in the city. They warned that “unchecked redevelopment is outpacing infrastructure, shrinking open spaces and deepening the water and housing crises.”The seminar titled ‘Towering Crisis: The City We Are Rebuilding’ was organised by NatConnect Foundation and Mumbai Press Club. Speakers included Bittu Sahgal of Sanctuary Foundation, Debi Goenka of Conservation Action Trust, D Stalin of Vanashakti, B N Kumar of NatConnect, Prerna Kumar of UDRI and Subhajit Mukherjee of Mission Green Mumbai.Journalist Gurbir Singh likened the redevelopment spree to a narcotic drug. He charted the history of the real estate boom, tracing it back to the closure of textile mills in the early 1980s.Experts said that in recent years the liberal rise in FSI from an average of 1.33 to 4 has caused tall constructions to tower across the city. Coupled with inadequate and improper planning this is likely to result in severe water shortages, traffic congestion, ecological destruction, shrinking open spaces and poor quality of life.Debi Goenka mocked the haphazard development trajectory, terming it ‘devil-opment’ that is destroying the planet and making it “unliveable”. Pointing to the carrying capacity of city infrastructure and poor AQI, he pointed out lacunae in the present DP (Development Plan) of 2034 which can catapult constructions to 300% their present size.Bittu Sahgal touched upon the human cost, saying urbanisation was raising people’s anger and unhappiness. He recalled deceased activist Shyam Chainani whose various appeals had controlled the permissible FSI level at 1.33. “Now I see these 50-60 storey buildings and wonder how people will carry a bucket of water upstairs once the shortage comes upon us,” he said.Stalin pointed out how despite the housing boom, real estate prices continue to remain sky high. Addressing the issue of rapid ecological damage and depleting open spaces, he questioned why building “Mumbai 2, 3 and 4” across MMR is allowed to increase the urban sprawl. He termed proper breeze and sunlight as an essential component of human rights.Mukherjee addressed the ongoing monsoon deficit, adding that the El Nino effect would cause a water crisis in the immediate future, indeed months not years.Prerna Yadav said citizens must understand the planning frameworks of urban development. Moderator-author B N Kumar underscored the need to ensure that redevelopment keeps pace with housing, water security and essential infrastructure. Jitendra Bhargava, former executive director of Air India, shared his thoughts.Speakers agreed that politicians and builders are the ones benefiting from the construction spree which has claimed forests, salt pans, green and open spaces.
