The draft development plan of 2034 has proposed to delete almost 70% of the heritage sites, structures and precincts in Mumbai.

Mumbai pioneered the country's first-of-its-kind regulations in 1995, and as per the blueprint, the civic body is set to omit 1,000 structures out of the 1,488 listed heritage buildings, sites and precincts.

What impact will the omission have on city's heritage tag?

Pankaj Joshi, executive director at Urban Design Research Institute, said that vested interests have repeatedly tarnished the cultural fabric of Mumbai. "116 buildings, sites and precincts have been deleted and 35 buildings, sites and precincts altered from the 1995 notified list of 633," he informed.

He added that the plan also obliterates all seven textile mill heritage buildings, sites and precincts from the 2002 notified addition. He said: "Omitting these sites and allowing them to be redeveloped, is to lose the city's heritage and history. We need to preserve these sites for following generations."

Which sites are said to be erased in the blueprint?

Joshi informed that the sites include: The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, Bandra (W); St Joseph's Convent Complex, Hill Road, Bandra; Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, Chapel Road, Bandra (W); Priscilla Villa, Master Vinayak Marg, Perry Road, Bandra (W); Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz; Malcolm Baug Precinct, SV Road, Jogeshwari (W); M Banajee Industrial Home for the Blind, SV Road, Jogeshwari (W); Our Lady of Health, Versova Village, Andheri (W) and Amba Bai Temple, Goregaon (W).

Which parties will benefit from the master plan?

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale has also written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding a probe in the irregularities of the master plan. "The proposed plan is the not resident friendly. It seems that builders will benefit more than the common people," he said.

Joshi added that clubbed with reservations such as reserved open spaces and other amenities on heritage sites, the omissions will 'sound the death knell to the significant cultural and architectural heritage of Mumbai'.