Mumbai: In a significant development, citizens from Mira-Bhayandar have moved the Bombay High Court to challenge the Draft Development Plan citing serious legal and procedural lapses in the Revised Draft Development Plan (RDDP).

According to Vikas Singh, who along with Amit Sharma and Rakesh Rajpurohit, have moved the High Court, “The planning process is supposed to be participatory and transparent. Unfortunately, in this case, critical objections were sidelined and changes were made without proper consultation.”

A notice for publishing the draft plan under Section 26(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (MRTP Act) was issued on October 28, 2022. However, adequate public information and awareness regarding the plan was not provided. Numerous objections and suggestions submitted by citizens — including the petitioners — were either inadequately considered or arbitrarily dismissed by the designated authorities in Thane.

The petition further points to major amendments made on October 25, 2023, under Section 28(4) of the MRTP Act, which they claim were introduced without considering public feedback. A detailed representation dated January 3, 2025, highlighting the legal and environmental implications of these changes was also ignored, the petitioners averred. The summary dismissal of citizens’ concerns reflects a broader pattern of administrative delays, lack of transparency, and arbitrary decision-making, resulting in the violation of due process, the petitioners argued.

The petition urges the High Court to issue appropriate directions to the government agencies to rectify the irregularities, enforce compliance with statutory procedures, and uphold the rights of Mira-Bhayandar’s citizens.

Commenting on the issue, social activist Prakash Nagane said, “Urban planning is not merely an administrative function; it is a democratic process that demands active citizen participation. The errors in the Mira-Bhayandar Development Plan clearly reflect a disregard for public feedback. This petition represents a voice against injustice and a call for accountability.”

Nagane emphasized that the legal challenge is not just a technical exercise but a broader movement to uphold democratic values. “This is not merely a legal battle; it’s a stand for democratic principles and citizen rights,” he asserted.