MUMBAI: The Samajwadi Party (SP) has demanded a new cabinet minister for ‘MMR’ region in MVA govt. SP has demanded establishment and appointment of a cabinet minister for the MMR to fast-track the infrastructure development projects and works in the region. SP MLA Rais Shaikh has written to the MVA leaders Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Nana Patole on the same. The region includes 9 Municipal Corporations, 9 Municipal Councils, one Nagar Panchayat and 1465 villages. Shaikh said there is a lack of coordination between the local bodies and various authorities in MMR so there is a need for establishing a separate ministry for the MMR region.
The MMR is known as the region with the highest population density and the fastest growing region. The region includes 9 Municipal Corporations, 9 Municipal Councils, one Nagar Panchayat and 1465 villages in Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts. The population of this area is 2.35 crore and the area of the region is 6328 sq.
“Although there is a MMRDA, its emphasis is on building infrastructure. There is a lack of coordination between the local bodies and various authorities in MMR. Therefore, this region could not develop to its full potential. As a result, various projects and works of the local bodies are going on at a slow pace. Hence, the citizens are suffering due to the lack of basic amenities in the region,” Shaikh said.
Shaikh said Bhiwandi is a logistics and warehouse hub. “Navi Mumbai International Airport will be operational soon. There is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in the area and a newport is being developed in Palghar district. Samruddhi Expressway, Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, Coastal Highway, Railway Network are being developed that will create a huge transportation network in MMR,” added Shaikh.
Shaikh said the projects in the area are being implemented by various authorities. “There is a lack of coordination between the authorities and the local bodies in the area. Therefore, there is a need for establishing a separate ministry for the MMR region that should be headed by a cabinet minister,” said Shaikh.