Mumbai: The controversial draft Development Plan (DP) 2014-2034 prepared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been scrapped by the Maharashtra government following a flood of objections and protests from Mumbaikars.

The state cabinet headed by Fadnavis took the decision on Tuesday and has ordered a new plan within four months.

The DP was strongly criticised and opposed by political parties, non-governmental organisations and prominent citizens, apart from ordinary people.

The DP was not only fraught with extensive errors, omissions and flaws but it had compromised the city’s open spaces, omitted heritage buildings from the heritage list, potentially endangered the coastline and even proposed widening of roads that cut through housing complexes.

What took Mumbaikars by surprise in February this year was when news of plans to develop of Aarey Colony — a 1,009-acre of sprawling forested expanse — into a commercial hub hit headlines. The plan had proposed to build a housing project, educational institutions, a zoo, transport amenities, parks, and more. Suspicions were raised across the city as to whether this was a plan to help the builders’ lobby. Municipal authorities argued that a proper plan was better than allowing the Aarey Colony to turn into another Dharavi.

The DP had also focused on vertical development by increasing Floor Space Index up to 8 in already crowded western suburbs like Andheri, Bandra, Borivili and Malad. Another issue that angered people was regularising encroachments in green zones, particularly the mangrove cover which ordinary Mumbaikars have been trying to save through protests and public interest litigations.

Last Sunday was a day of protests as various citizens’ groups and NGOs across the city came out on the streets to demand the scrapping of DP. Even residents of Pali Hill, a posh locality in suburban Bandra, held a silent protest against the DP’s proposal to allow hawkers to set up shop on footpaths.

Finally, Fadnavis gave into the demands even before the three-member body constituted by the government was to give its report on Saturday.

Last month, film stars Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Farhan Akhtar were among those who joined the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray in opposing the plan.

The move was welcomed by Mumbaikars on social media with Shiv Sena youth leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeting, “The DP must have suggestions made by common man, elected representatives, ALMs. It must be comprehensive guideline for Mumbai governance.”

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya thanked Fadnavis “for scrapping Mumbai Development Pan — appeal to BMC to prepare new draft policy with proper consultation and application of mind.”

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam too said that they will work together for the new DP.