It is important to have a collective integrated approach for Mumbai

Shri. Eknath Shinde

Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra

This is a first of its kind conference being organised today here on the development plans of city like Mumbai considering all aspects. I have attended many conferences on infrastructure and real estate in Mumbai and elsewhere. But I am grateful to see that such a conference been successfully organised to discuss the challenges faced by Mumbai and MMR on infrastructure and the steps needed to put the developments on fast track. I would like to appreciate and thank all the builders, architects, contractors and other stakeholders who took efforts to give Mumbai a new shape and direction in progress. Many of us have been staying here for years and the city provides everything to the needy. Now the time has come to do something for the city.

Mumbai is the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps. As we all know, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, the economic capital of India and the international trade city. It is definitely one of the biggest cities in the world, but our aim is to make Mumbai the best city in the world and the time is now. There is difference in talking and doing. Now you have organised this event and from this I am sure that we will be able to do something. Now we have a new government. This is the government of everyone and so Mumbai also will change for sure.

On this occasion, I remember the contributions of various stakeholders, be it politicians, industry or media. Especially media has been actively involved and contributing to the development activities by suggesting and criticising. Media print news and articles regularly, but organising events on the development of city in a positive and constructive way is also a great initiative. Such events help in bringing all key people from industry and technology to discuss on new things and emerging technologies that can benefit in the development of the city. So, I would like to especially thank Construction Times and its team led by Ramamurthy for taking such an initiative.

I was going through the agenda of today's conference where I could see the mention of new technologies for road construction. Also, there are new initiatives on solid waste management, making Mumbai slum-free, transportation infrastructure, green construction, waterlogging issues, etc. In fact, Mumbai is facing waterlogging issues during rains. Government and government agencies are doing various initiatives for the waterlogging issues. Similarly, in the real estate sector also there are some issues. My view is that for Mumbai, it is important to have a collective integrated approach. So far, we had a fragmented approach towards the issues of Mumbai, whether it is transport, real estate, water etc. Now it is time to create an ecosystem where all the departments and segments work together for the development of Mumbai.

The government has taken up many development projects and transportation infrastructure projects across the MMR region and it has a close eye on the progress of these projects. As you know, Devendra Fadnavis government during 2014-2019 started Mumbai metro services and we will have 337 km of metro lines by 2026. This will reduce traffic on the roads making congestion-free traffic on the roads and less pollution. It will also ease rush on the local train services.

You will see a drastic change in the MMR region in the coming years once these projects are completed and operational. The CM, DCM and the key officials are regularly monitoring the progress of the projects as the government has decided to operationalise these projects before time. There was also some discussion on the potholes in Mumbai roads. For this year, contracts have been signed for making 450 km of roads into concrete and tender has already been given. Tender for the remaining 450 km will be given by this March. 

Regarding the residential housing in Mumbai and MMR, we are working on affordable housing projects for economically weaker people. I request the builders and real estate companies in Mumbai to construct affordable houses for the people. There are many redevelopment projects held up due to various issues. The government has decided to check and resolve the issues and take those schemes forward. If needed, we can do amendments in the rules also. We have also made unified DCPR in real estate because it is the second-largest employer after agriculture sector and more than 200 allied industries are dependent on this sector. So, we have done many facilities to boost the real estate sector. Even other states are also studying our unified DCPR scheme and we are really proud of that. We are also developing the fishing villages in Mumbai to tourist locations which will help the fishermen in the areas to earn extra income. This will also help upgrade their living standard.

Government is also working towards making Mumbai slum-free. We are having discussions with experts like Hafeez Contractor on how to devise the programme. The current government has already created plan for the redevelopment of Dharavi and global tendering has been initiated. This project also will provide a better living for the people and the industry in and around the area will also get a revival.

In the area of solid waste management, government has initiated the Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan 2. The state government had submitted a DPR of Rs 12,900 crore to the Centre which has been sanctioned and also released the fund for the project.

Government is also working on the Mumbai-Sindhudurg coastal highway project to make it two-lane from the current single-lane. This will provide growth to the tourism industry in the region. Mumbai-Goa greenfield access control road will be coming soon. This will reduce the travel time and reduce pollution. We are making 5,000 km access control roads across Maharashtra.

Development of MMR is a challenge for us and we have to take up this challenge and go ahead as the population in 2052 will be around 45 million. Currently, 60 per cent population of Mumbai is in slums. We also need to strengthen our municipal corporations. We have taken decision on state level to support municipal corporations in executing projects. We have also decided to constitute a centralised supportive system to help the municipal corporations in executing the rehabilitation projects and other building projects.

Our major aim is to make Mumbai clean and beautiful and the government will give all support to you to achieve this goal. Once again, I would like to appreciate the team Construction Times for their stellar efforts to organise such a unique event. I also congratulate all the winners of the BAM Awards 2022 for their distinguished achievements and wish them all the very best.

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