The Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) has been closely following a study on the correlation between structural factors and tuberculosis in resettlement colonies in the M (East) Ward of Mumbai, conducted by Doctors for You, a non-profit organisation and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Environment Improvement Society (MMR-EIS).
The study, published in July 2018, established how, due to a distance of maximum 3 metres between two 8-storey buildings, as seen in resettlement buildings, leaves no room for natural ventilation or daylight. In addition, unhygienic conditions surrounding these resettlements have led to high incidences of multi-drug resistant and extreme-drug resistant TB among residents.
UDRI, following the findings of the study, has conducted meetings with various experts including retired IAS officers, prominent activists and members of the Parliament to discuss the graveness of the issue, raise awareness on it and formulate strategies to facilitate appropriate amendments to the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPRs) for Greater Mumbai. UDRI incorporated inputs from these and has sent a letter, dated 5th April 2018, to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra requesting positive interventions to address this issue in the form of appropriate modifications to the DCPRs of the DP 2034. UDRI also met with the then Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department (UDD), Government of Maharashtra on 15th June 2018 to highlight these issues for appropriate interventions in the DCPRs of the DP 2034.
In order to spread further awareness and to highlight the critical findings of the study, UDRI has produced a film “Free Housing – Free TB”, on its YouTube channel, available here.