Synopsis
The Maharashtra government has set up a nine-member Project Management Unit to implement NITI Aayog's recommendations for transforming the Mumbai Metropolitan Region into a $300 billion growth hub by 2030.Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra government forms a PMU for MMR development.
- PMU is led by additional chief secretary of housing.
- Focus on $300 billion economy by 2030.
- NITI Aayog's recommendations include tourism and manufacturing hubs.
- High-level committee established for oversight.
Mumbai, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government has officially formed a nine-member Project Management Unit (PMU), led by the additional chief secretary of the housing department, to execute the NITI Aayog's report aimed at transforming the rapidly expanding Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) into a growth hub with a projected economy of $300 billion by 2030, an increase from the current $140 billion.
This PMU comprises the additional chief secretaries from the transport, planning, and urban development departments, the Mumbai Metropolitan Commissioner or an additional commissioner serving as member secretary, the chief executive officer of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, the chairman or a representative of the Mumbai Port Trust, the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, and a representative from the Institute for Sustainability, Employment, and Growth.
As per the government resolution issued by planning department joint secretary Charushila Chaudhari, the PMU is tasked with implementing the NITI Aayog’s recommendations, aiding the Growth Hub Regulatory Board and the Growth Hub Coordination Committee, and proposing solutions to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to tackle various issues.
The announcement of the PMU's formation aligns with a meeting held on Wednesday in Mumbai between NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The state government has previously appointed a high-level committee led by the Chief Secretary to oversee the implementation of the NITI Aayog's recommendations for the MMR's development as a growth hub.
In the report presented to the state government last year, NITI Aayog proposed several recommendations, including the promotion of MMR as a global services center, enhanced affordable housing and slum rehabilitation, tourism initiatives, and the development of a port-adjacent integrated manufacturing and logistics hub, alongside planned urbanization and intensive transport-oriented development, sustainability projects, and top-tier urban infrastructure and transport.
NITI Aayog also advised the state to cultivate two themed tourism development hubs in Gorai and Madh as well as Alibag, and to implement a master plan for a 300 km coastal area.
Moreover, MMR can foster a port-adjacent integrated manufacturing and logistics hub by developing the Kharbav integrated logistics cluster into a multimodal logistics park, along with circular economy parks and an electronic manufacturing cluster for white goods assembly at the Khalapur-Panvel section. Given the forthcoming Rs 76,000 crore Vadhavan port development, NITI Aayog has suggested utilizing it to promote industries such as green hydrogen, steel, chemicals, and integrated textiles and apparel.
(Sanjay Jog can be reached at sanjay.j@ians.in)
