We endeavor to take the infrastructure to the next level - connecting roads, developing cities.

-Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee

Vice Chairman and Managing Director, CIDCO

Connectivity will have to be the hallmark and the idea should be to connect Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune region seamlessly. The planning and vision will have to be focused on that angle and innovative solutions need to be found. There is no reason to believe that any paradigm which gave a particular result in the past would give a substantially different result now. Developing a new sustainable vision will therefore be the biggest challenge, states Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, CIDCO. In an exclusive interview with Construction Times, Dr. Mukherjee sheds light on the vision of CIDCO in the rebuilding process. Excerpts from the interview…

As the new Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO how do you envision the strategies of Rebuilding Maharashtra during / the post Covid era? Could you throw some light on the immediate initiatives and focus areas?

Since I have taken over my focus over the last one month has been that CIDCO should be constantly active in lockdown era. I have focused on online services so that the work will continue without physical contact of any employee or citizen for any work. Estate services such as lease of plots, submission of tender and documents, fees payment, drawing of bids, etc. for the citizens are now online. Technical assistance has been provided to the employees to make them capable of working remotely. Due to this, all the services of this department be it online applications, payments are continuously available to the citizens in a safe and reliable way.

We have also assisted the state government in the fight against Covid19 and have constructed a well- equipped hospital for Covid 19 patients at Mulund. We are also considering developing a similar centre in Raigad district. The CIDCO exhibition Centre, and many such places are now being used by the Public Health Authorities for Covid 19 management.

Post lockdown, various work of major projects like Navi Mumbai International Airport, housing schemes, NAINA, etc. have once again gained pace. The meeting with landowners is also lined up for upcoming days which will stimulate the work of NAINA. Proper precautionary measures are taken and hygiene is maintained at CIDCO Bhawan and various nodal offices to prevent the spread of the virus. Office spaces are thoroughly sanitized and thermal screening is done to every single person entering the office premises.

From infrastructure sector perspective could you brief us on plans?

All the transit networks were majorly planned and developed with the aim of interconnection between various nodes of Navi Mumbai and connecting Navi Mumbai with other cities. Most of the roads in various nodes are connected directly to the highway or major flyovers of the city. The proposed Ulwe coastal road and the Trans-Harbour Link, the longest sea bridge in India will connect Sewri to Nhava Sheva are the proposed ambitious road projects in the city.

The railway network of Navi Mumbai is the pulse of the city; connecting the satellite city to Mumbai. The building of railway bridge over Thane creek to connect Mankhurd and Vashi was the starting point of Navi Mumbai. The railway line is now extended to the southern-most part of the city i.e. Ulwe and is proposed till Uran. The satellite city is the only place in the country which has commercial complexes over the railway stations like IIP Vashi, ITP CBD Belapur, and Seawoods. We have also proposed Marina project at Sector 11, 14 and 15 of Belapur to not only reduce the increasing pressure on other transport mediums but also to encourage the water transportation in the city. It will be well equipped and flourished port built on the line Kochi International Harbour of Kerala. We endeavor to take the infrastructure to the next level - connecting roads, developing cities.

What do you think are the major challenges and kindly brief us on the measure taken / or on board to address those issues?

The process of restarting and rebuilding is going to be a major challenge. The real estate scenario is not exactly rosy and CIDCO itself is having certain financial challenges. Expenses have exceeded income in the last three years and cash reserves are at its low end. The Covid 19 pandemic has further resulted in financial slowdown and hence, financial discipline is the first challenge that will have to be tackled.

Certain flagship schemes need to be pushed, most notable amongst them being the Navi Mumbai Metro. CIDCO has also embarked in a mass housing scheme of over One Lakh EWS/ LIG houses. These projects need to start and reach their logical conclusion. Mass housing is a new area for CIDCO as it generally is in the land development and urban development business.

The New Mumbai International Airport is another project which is poised for takeoff. Other urban development projects like NAINA, Aerocity, International Corporate Park, Centres of Excellence, Logistic Park, etc. are all in the planning stage and need to be taken into the implementation and commissioning stage in a time bound manner.

Connectivity will have to be the hallmark and the idea should be to connect Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune region seamlessly. The planning and vision will have to be focused on that angle and innovative solutions need to be found. There is no reason to believe that any paradigm which gave a particular result in the past would give a substantially different result now. Developing a new sustainable vision will therefore be the biggest challenge.

What are your plans on leveraging disruptive technologies such as IoT, AR & VR, machine learning and other communications systems in the process of rebuilding?

Technologies like IoT, AR & VR, Machine learning shall play a role in the process of rebuilding. I plan to have The International Corporate Park, Aerocity and Logistics park as leaders in the adoption of these technologies.

CIDCO has always been upgrading its planning and development activities using the latest, top end technology. Various digital services are made available to citizens. During lockdown all the functions were done through online mediums and all estate services were provided online. The administration is already using advanced technologies for efficient functioning such as SAP, COPAS, NIAMS as well as GIS Mapping with an aim to simplify and improve the services for the citizens. It leads to better governance.

A report from JLL talks about the huge potential of the state in transforming the state into major global standard manufacturing hub.  What is your taken on this? 

Maharashtra currently leads in manufacturing and there is no reason to believe why this should not be the case in the future. We shall fulfill whatever role the Government of Maharashtra entrusts us in this. The NTDA at Roha and the Palghar could be good manufacturing hubs.

Could you tell us the plans on creating employment / and upskilling the workforce?

In fact, we have set up the JNPT CIDCO Multi Skill Development center as an autonomous society jointly promoted by CIDCO and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), for the purpose of providing technical training to employees of ports, CIDCO, unemployed youth, project affected persons and others. Anyway, employment is always generated as a result of economic growth. That is the aim of CIDCO. As you shall see the fruition of the projects I mentioned earlier in the days to come, employment generation will receive a boost through its positive externalities as well.

What is the current scenario of investment for projects on different verticals?

We will be contributing to various projects with cash, kind (land, rights and expertise. Several projects will be through private investment too. Amongst the major projects in the pipeline are the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Navi Mumbai Metro, NAINA, Aerocity, Logistics Park, International Corporate Park, railway projects, roads and bridges projects, mass housing projects and city development and connectivity projects.

What are decisive role played by CIDCO contributing the development of smart / green and sustainable cities?

The mission of smart city was declared by the government back in 90s later on, CIDCO overtook this mission. The aim of this mission is to develop an environment-friendly and financially sustainable city. CIDCO has a huge contribution in the development of smart cities. Infrastructure plays a vital role in any development be it physical or social infrastructure. The roads networks are developed with the motive of interconnection between various nodes and other cities. Road and railway networks are the medium of commuting and logistics. Proper road and rail network improves the living standards of citizens.

Social infrastructure also plays a vital role in development of quality of life in society. Social infrastructure enhances social well-being and boosts economic growth by providing basic services and facilities which enables businesses to develop and flourish. There are several schools ranging from pre primary to higher secondary, various senior colleges of arts, science and commerce to vocational institutes.

Navi Mumbai has higher education facilities in various faculties like management, engineering, polytechnic colleges, medical colleges, media studies, dental, architecture, law colleges, pharmacy as well as nursing colleges, etc. CIDCO has introduced three- tier health system and has also assisted the development of Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Naturopathy centers in the city. Super- specialty hospitals are also developed for advanced surgeries and specialized treatments. Equal importance is given to environment. The smart city is equipped with good educational, health, sports infrastructure, open and green spaces, etc.

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