India, March 19 -- A new development plan (DP) for Vasai-Virar will be prepared soon and an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer will be appointed as the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) commissioner for effective town planning, minister of state for urban development Madhuri Misal informed the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Misal was speaking after local MLAs alleged that nearly half the buildings in Vasai-Virar are illegal and over one-third of reserved plots have been encroached upon owing to poor planning and weak administration.

BJP MLA Sneha Pandit Dube said, "Vasai Virar is considered the breathing zone of Mumbai, but the illegal construction in the city has put this oxygen zone in danger."

MLA Rajan Na...