The MMRDA, which is the Special Planning Authority for the Bhiwandi Surrounding Notified Area (BSNA), “is preparing the Development Plan in order to plan for better physical and social infrastructure, which are urgently needed for areas in close proximity to Mumbai that are seeing tremendous urban growth,” said an official. The Development Plan prepared earlier for the Ambernath, Kulgaon-Badlapur and Surrounding Notified Area — an area measuring about 225 sq km and including two municipal councils and 56 villages—- was okayed by the government a couple of years ago.

Now, the MMRDA has sought bids from consultants who have prepared at least one Development Plan, Town Planning Scheme or Layout Plan along with Development Control Regulations for an area over 25 sq km.

The scope of the consultancy will include land surveying and mapping and Development Plan proposals to be drawn up by qualified and experienced town planners, urban planners, environment planners, etc. “A shortlist of bidders will be prepared on the basis of their technical capacity and work experience. Technical and financial quotations would be invited from those shortlisted,” the official said. The consultancy is to be provided for a period of 36 weeks.