Chairman
Mr. Jamsheed Kanga
Sr. Corporate Advisor
Forbes Gokak Ltd.

Mission: 
To promote growth centres through efficient utilisation of land use and advocate timely modifications in policies for a rational disposal of land.

Activities: 
The Land Use and Housing Committee of Bombay First successfully completed a project proposal titiled "Ballard Estate -  A Proposal For the Urban Management of the Area" with the help of Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI). The objective of this study was to bring into focus, the critical role of Ballard Estate within the Fort area and it's unique place as a premier Business and Corporate district in the city. It was also the intention of this study to identify as well as to highlight the emerging issues that threaten to transform its ambience, spatial quality and efficiency as a Business District. Thirdly, and most be dealt with in order to formulate a comprehensive plan for the Ballard Estate Corporate District. suggestions are offered for the enhancement of the Estate as a conservation precinct while facilitating its use as a Comercial and Corporate District in Fort area.

Redevelopment of Mill lands, Concept of Business Improvement District & Banking District Development, amendments to Urban Land Ceiling Regulation Act (ULCRA), Rent Control Act and the Labour laws were discussed at various meetings, and follow up with relevant authorities was undertaken. A meeting was held with Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra on the issues related to Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 for pressing the need for legislative action which would release a huge housing stock currently available to the city but for uncertainty of recovery process by the Landlords.

Other Initiative:
Considering the need and the importance of communication for the underprivileged population in Mumbai the Bombay First along with the NGO "Nirman" a venture of the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work undertook a pilot project, "Telephony for the Roofless". The project targets at self employed persons and skilled tradepersons like carpenters, plumbers and roving vendors. The project involves setting up of a community PCO to cater to informal groups of such workers and designing a technical package i.e. a low cost paging system.

Staff from Nirman has facilitated the formation of an association of the self employed skilled workers at Kurar Naka in Malad. This group has been named as Kurar Naka Kushal Kamgar Sangh (KNKKS). The association has well above 40 members belonging to various trades such as Plumbing, Carpentry, Masonry etc.

Bombay First provided financial support for the project to cover the rentals and setting up of PCO. It was envisaged that this PCO will provide connectivity to an otherwise disadvantaged group of workers and assist in enhancing their earning potential through direct access to customers.