BMC To Mark Missing Gaothan And Koliwada Boundaries

22 Sep 2025 CW Team

The clarification follows criticism from citizens’ groups who pointed out that only 52 of Mumbai’s 189 gaothans are currently shown on the DP. Officials explained that under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the urban development department approved the Greater Mumbai DP 2034 through a government notification on 8 May 2018, making the matter largely one for the revenue and fisheries departments.

Residents of these historic settlements, many predating Mumbai’s formation, have long campaigned for clear demarcation to prevent their neighbourhoods being treated as slums and merged into rehabilitation projects.

Public Interest Litigation No. 55 of 2019 was filed in the Bombay High Court by the Watchdog Foundation, highlighting the omission. Its representative, Godfrey Pimenta, noted that there are still no separate Development Control Promotion Regulations (DCPR) for gaothans and koliwadas within Mumbai, despite such regulations existing across the wider metropolitan region.

According to BMC, boundaries for 22 koliwadis in Mumbai Suburban District and 115 polygons covering 64 village gaothans have already been mapped in DP 2034. Once additional maps are received from the revenue department, the remaining areas will be included.

On the matter of specific DCPR, the chief engineer (DP) stated that while provisions for reconstruction and redevelopment exist in DCPR 2034, these are temporarily suspended. The urban development department has been asked to issue directives on suitable amendments.

Meanwhile, the United Christian Front and other local associations have appealed to district guardian minister Ashish Shelar to intervene. Advocate Alexander Dsouza, representing the group, urged authorities to protect the city’s original inhabitants and ensure swift demarcation of the 137 unmarked gaothans.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has confirmed that if the boundaries of gaothans, koliwadas and adivasi padas are absent from the city’s Development Plan (DP), they will be incorporated once finalised by the revenue department.The clarification follows criticism from citizens’ groups who pointed out that only 52 of Mumbai’s 189 gaothans are currently shown on the DP. Officials explained that under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the urban development department approved the Greater Mumbai DP 2034 through a government notification on 8 May 2018, making the matter largely one for the revenue and fisheries departments.Residents of these historic settlements, many predating Mumbai’s formation, have long campaigned for clear demarcation to prevent their neighbourhoods being treated as slums and merged into rehabilitation projects.Public Interest Litigation No. 55 of 2019 was filed in the Bombay High Court by the Watchdog Foundation, highlighting the omission. Its representative, Godfrey Pimenta, noted that there are still no separate Development Control Promotion Regulations (DCPR) for gaothans and koliwadas within Mumbai, despite such regulations existing across the wider metropolitan region.According to BMC, boundaries for 22 koliwadis in Mumbai Suburban District and 115 polygons covering 64 village gaothans have already been mapped in DP 2034. Once additional maps are received from the revenue department, the remaining areas will be included.On the matter of specific DCPR, the chief engineer (DP) stated that while provisions for reconstruction and redevelopment exist in DCPR 2034, these are temporarily suspended. The urban development department has been asked to issue directives on suitable amendments.Meanwhile, the United Christian Front and other local associations have appealed to district guardian minister Ashish Shelar to intervene. Advocate Alexander Dsouza, representing the group, urged authorities to protect the city’s original inhabitants and ensure swift demarcation of the 137 unmarked gaothans.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..