“Maharashtra has the power of industry, agriculture and the finance sector, which has made Mumbai the financial hub of the c ountry. Now, my goal is to use this power to make Maharashtra the biggest economic powerhouse of the world.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s this firm announcement while inaugurating multiple projects with an investment of over Rs. 29400 crore in Mumbai a few days ago has emphasised the role of the NDA government in this process.
Modi repeatedly lauded Maharashtra’s handsome contribution in India’s growth by saying, “Maharashtra has a glorious history, a strong present, and dreams of a prosperous future. This state plays a significant role in building a developed India.” Modi’s plans for Maharashtra include his focus on Mumbai. He reiterated, “My aim is to make Maharashtra the world’s big financial powerhouse and to make Mumbai the global fintech capital.”
When Modi was discussing the government’s urgency on enhancing infrastructure to boost connectivity in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, many experts immediately understood its significance. The state government’s decision to entrust the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) with an expanded role as the planning agency for more than 600 villages spanning Raigad and Palghar districts came to their mind as a backdrop to this pledge.
According to an announcement by the state urban development department, these projects will help in improving the connectivity in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas. These projects will also help in creating enormous employment opportunities.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Planning Committee (MMPC) was formed in 2009 by MMRDA. At its second meeting held on 11 June 2010, the MMPC formed five study groups to prepare respective Study Group Reports. The five group reports established the status of the Region based on which, projections up to 2036 were made. Accordingly, the Draft Regional Plan, 2016-36 was prepared and published on 19 September 2016 for inviting suggestions and objections from the public.
Based on the suggestions and objections received and the Planning Sub-Committee’s Report, MMRDA submitted the modified Draft Regional Plan to the MMPC on 30 October 2017. The MMPC approved the Plan with certain modifications and submitted to the Maharashtra government for its sanction. The government on 7 August 2019 did sanction a part of the Regional Plan, 2016-36, pertaining to the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone. The remaining part of the Plan was sanctioned on 20 April 2021 and is in force now.
MMRDA’s jurisdiction, according to the latest government resolution, now will extend from Pen tehsil in Alibaug to the southern part of the Patalganga river on the eastern side. This extension includes areas southwards to Khalapur, Pen, Alibaug, Palghar taluka, and Vasai taluka, effectively enlarging its role as special planning authority from the present 4355 sq km to 6355 sq km. it will cover 446 villages in Palghar, Vasai, Panvel. Khalapur, Pen and Alibagu. This decision, which has also ended CIDCO’s role as a planner in some of these areas, has been prompted by MMRDA’s strategic plans for upcoming projects in the region.
The most prominent of these projects is the ambitious Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor, growth centres in Boisar and infrastructure initiatives like the Bullet Train corridor near Vadhavan in Palghar district. The planners feel that expanding MMRDA’s boundaries will accelerate growth and development across these nodes. MMRDA’s role initially envisaged planning activities. However, it went on expanding during the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance reign between 1995 and 1999. Implementation of infrastructure projects was assigned to it. MMRDA in future is expected to undertake slum rehabilitation projects, too, putting a different complexion on its functioning.
The decision to extend MMRDA’s operational area has several angles. It is not merely a jurisdictional expansion. It will have to undertake a strategic study towards integrated regional development planning. MMRDA will have to plan streamlining infrastructure projects and ensure sustainable urban growth in the extended Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by consolidating its authority over these areas, which were so far beyond its purview. This expansion is being carried out with expectation that it will lead to strengthening the administrative mechanism and facilitate coordinated planning measures, to achieve the objective of building up a platform for upcoming infrastructure project execution by striking a balance with the overall development around the new international airport and the JNPT, to name just two, with efficiency and perspective planning.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has started work on the 126-km Virar-Alibaug-Multi-Modal Corridor, which will integrate both a slew of highways and the metro network in that periphery. It will also connect Navghar on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Thane with Balavali in Raigad district. The corridor will traverse through Palghar, Thane, and Raigad districts, giving a fillip to myriad activities in that belt. MSRDC aims to execute this mega project within three years. However, happening this will depend upon several factors.
MMRDA has explained that the corridor will be operational in two phases. The first phase will span 79 km, originating from Navghar to Chirner near JNPT. The estimated cost for the initial phase is Rs 10000 crore. The second phase will be spread over nearly 47 km, from Chirner to Alibaug.
Some important features of the Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor :
The corridor project will bring about enhanced connectivity between Mumbai-Navi Mumbai and major national highways, including NH8 (Delhi-Mumbai), NH3 (Agra-Delhi), NH4 (Pune-Bangalore), NH4B (JNPT) and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This will result in faster and more convenient access to and from Mumbai and these busy transportation routes.
The project will improve connectivity with major projects such as the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Revas Port, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and the Delhi-Mumbai Dedicated Freight Corridor. This will create better links and accessibility between these vital projects and surrounding areas.
Within the corridor, several growth centres will be promoted. They will benefit Virar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Dombivali, Panvel, Taloja and Uran to speed their metamorphosis into satellite towns.
This development will involve strategic planning and infrastructure improvements in these areas, fostering their growth and urban expansion.
After the corridor is commissioned, the travel time between Virar and Alibaug will be reduced by half, also reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
The corridor will prove to be the magnet for facilitating the development of a mega township within the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area. It will provide essential connectivity and accessibility, contributing to the growth and progress of the township. The road’s presence will enhance transportation options and support the overall development and prosperity of the area, which is expanding rapidly.
Modi’s affection for Maharashtra was articulating from the praise he sung of the state. His tribute that “This land is home to the legacies of many great figures, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Lokmanya Tilak and Veer Savarkar, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Annabhau Sathe,” was particularly moving. The Maharashtra government is taking concrete steps to respond positively to the vision of the PM. The extended role of MMRDA is one such initiative.
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
