Extensions of MMRDA development plan for Raigad & Palghar got approved by Maharashtra legislature.

By Abhay Shah, Realty Quarter

A proposal to take parts of Palghar and Raigad to competence under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was approved by both the Maharashtra Houses on 20 June 2019. In February 2019 the State Cabinet decided to extend the competence of the MMRDA to 2,000 sq km. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the resolution to increase the jurisdiction both in the Legislative Assembly and in the Legislative Council.

Fadnavis said later on Twitter that the authority is executing several infrastructure projects in those fields, which includes the Surya water supply scheme and a multi-modal transport corridor. He said that the extension of the authority of MMRDA will not influence the authority of local gram panchayats, municipal councils and municipal corporations.

“MMRDA is not a bank to hold on money (to maintain unused funds). We decided to unlock (its) capacity for large-scale development projects. Several projects are being undertaken in the MMR region for the first time,” said Fadnavis. “The recommendations for further development of the MMRDA are being considered and taken into consideration,” said the Chief Minister.

In answering reporters, Yogesh Sagar, Minister of State for Urban Development, said that all of Palghar tehsil and some parts of Vasai in Palghar and parts of Panvel, Pen, Khalapur, and Alibag tehsils in Raigad will be integrated into the MMRDA, with the exclusion of ‘scheduled areas. “The projects in the region such as the Trans-Harbor Link and Navi Mumbai International Airport need to be developed in a healthy and quick manner. The MMRDA will be the planning authority of the region,” the minister added.