Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Wednesday that Mumbai’s peculiar geography and the need to maintain the city’s economic vibrancy in spite of overcrowding are challenges before the government as it tries to implement major infrastructure, housing and transport projects. Mumbai faces “unique geographical challenges” apart from challenges of land acquisition, environmental clearances, Chavan told reporters at an informal interaction ahead of completing a year in office. Chavan said it was an “eventful and the most exciting year” of political ups and down, including running a coalition government in an “interesting exercise”. He expressed concern over the “lopsided development of the state” wherein 75 per cent GDP comes from four districts while 12 districts are lower than the national average. Asked about the delay in the Dharavi redevelopment project despite an announcement that Sector 5 will be developed by MHADA, Chavan said: “New DCR rules will be issued soon in terms of structure protection and transfer fee. The transfer fee will be limited to those who became residents between 1995 and 2000.” Speaking about the proposed coastal road around Mumbai, Chavan said they are trying to get the coastal road cleared from the Union Environment Ministry and it would not come in the way of the Worli-Haji Ali Sea Link. “We have not stopped the sea link. The ring road will consist of all options. We are trying to see that conditions in the earlier tender about sea link are not violated in terms of the casting yard which is with the BMC,” said Chavan. He added he is ready to argue with anyone that the coastal road is the best and cheapest option. Chavan said land acquisition is becoming a problem in the state and it was also proving to be a stumbling block for the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Jaitapur nuclear power plant project. He said the government did not want to “ram through” the Jaitapur project on people and “genuine safety concerns” have to be addressed. Asked about the proposal to bring in a housing regulator, Chavan said the government is in the process of recasting Maharashtra Ownership of Flats Act as a housing regulator. On multiple agencies hampering the progress of projects, Chavan said he was considering online submission of building plans in Mumbai as multiple agencies are a hurdle . He said to clear a file of a skyscraper, there is a highrise committee, the environment department, expert committee and other agencies. “I am told there are hundreds of clearances for one proposal. Why should the file move across 10 tables for clearance? Online submission of building plan will make it accessible to all agencies. It is being done in some cities like Bangalore, I am trying to see if we can also do it,” said Chavan.