Soon, Mumbaikars may be able to park under Cross Maidan

Mumbaikars may soon be able to park their cars under the iconic Cross Maidan.

The BMC came out with two more chapters of its draft Development Control Regulations on Monday. While one chapter deals with land use, the other deals with heritage, in which the civic body has made a special provision for Cross Maidan.

The chapter on heritage has provided the definition and grades of various structures and all rules related to their repairs and redevelopment. In exceptional cases, the Municipal Commissioner will have the power to overrule the Heritage Committee and his decision will be final.

Another highlight of chapter X is that TDR can be claimed according to a prescribed formula.

The chapter has enumerated in detail what kind of underground construction can be allowed under a heritage building. It says, "Subject to the conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner, MCGM, Sewage Treatment Plant, storage and allied facilities as per design and specification and at location as may be considered necessary by the Commissioner for treatment of sewage/effluent, water pumping station and storage facility, Electric Substation/Distribution/Receiving Station, underground parking and shopping shall be allowed below existing or proposed DP Roads and below lands reserved for Playground/Gardens/Parks and Public Open Spaces both existing and proposed and to be used at one or two levels below the ground. Provided no such uses will be allowed below Oval Maidan, Cross Maidan, Azad Maidan, Shivaji Park, all parade grounds, Nare Park, Jambhori Maidan, Five Gardens and Recreational Ground opposite Scottish School, Dadar, Cadell Road (Veer Sawarkar Marg) situated to the north of Hinduja Hospital.

And provided further that the area to the extent of 10 m along the road side below the surface within the boundary of the aforesaid Maidans/Parks/Gardens/Public Open Spaces may be used for the purpose of ingress and egress to the underground area.

Provided further that only underground parking shall be allowed below Cross Maiden subject to the "above conditions."

The only highlight of chapter VII is that no manufacturing is allowed in residential areas whatsoever.

Citizens can access the full DCR on the BMC's website www.mcgm.gov.in

Suggestions and objections have to be submitted in a week.