He has earned his name as Task Master. As a Medical Education Secretary of State, he took several measures that helped State to build its healthcare, because of which all Government Medical Colleges in State had a high level preparedness. City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) that made quick start in 1970 and then became lethargic again got a boost when Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, the son of Nagpur took over as Vice-Chairman (V-C) and Managing Director (MD). What plans were in his minds about CIDCO, what he thinks about Nagpur, what is his vision about Maharashtra’s progress? With these questions, ‘The Hitavada’ talked to Dr Mukherjee. Below are the excerpts:

 

Q.What five things were in your mind when you took over as V-C and MD of CIDCO? Dr Mukherjee: The top 5 things that struck me of being of great importance at CIDCO, when I took over, were the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the Navi Mumbai Metro (NMM), the CIDCO Mass Housing Scheme, NAINA, and completion of the major projects of the Navi Mumbai Project, like the Corporate Park, Aerocity, Logistics Park, etc. Needless to say, I wanted these projects to be self-sustaining and financially viable.

 

Q. How many of those five you could touch upon? Dr Mukherjee: We have been able to complete the land acquisition of the entire 1160 Ha of the NMIA and 99.7 % of the rehabilitation. Our rehabilitation package is perhaps the most comprehensive in the country. Very recently, the controlling stake of the concessionaire, NMIA, was transferred to Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. We are very hopeful that AAHL shall be able to achieve financial closure and start the work. The Airport is now expected to commence commercial operations from 2024. The NMM began in 2011 but remained incomplete till date. Hence, we have roped in Nagpur-based MahaMetro as the Engineer to the project. The American Consulting Giant, Louis Berger, is the Advisor to this project. We estimate Phase 1 of Line 1 to be operational by the end of this year and Phase 2 the coming year. We are hopeful that MahaMetro shall be able to keep up with its commitment and the NMM shall be operational very soon. The CIDCO Mass Housing Scheme is the largest housing scheme in the country and perhaps in the world. The project was stuck with several hurdles, like financial closure, site availability and constraints, environmental and other regulatory clearances, etc.

 

We have been able to overcome most of these constraints and now the project is on track. I would like to mention that the project is designed by one of the country’s finest architects, executed by the finest construction firms and supervised by the finest Engineering Consultants in the country. We have completed Phase 1 now and are allotting the apartments to the beneficiaries. Phase 2 of the project is under construction. As a mark of our respect towards the Covid warriors and the uniformed personnel, we shall be launching the special scheme shortly. Covid warriors and Uniformed personnel domiciled in Maharashtra shall be eligible. NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area) is a very special Town Planning Scheme of CIDCO. It was launched in 2011 as one of the conditions of approval of the NMIA, as the Government did not want unauthorised/ unplanned development around the airport. Navi Mumbai Project remains extremely crucial, as it was this project for which CIDCO was created. Now that Navi Mumbai City is fully developed, we have moved our interest in the developing Nodes like Ulwe, Dronagiri, Karanjale, etc. We have prepared the master plan for providing infrastructure in these nodes and have started the work.

 

In addition, we have several marquee projects here, the work of which has commenced recently. We are developing a Corporate Park at Kharghar, on the lines of BKC, and this work has started with the Centre of Excellence in Sports as well as infrastructural work there. Considering the nodal position of Navi Mumbai in Logistics, we have begun developing a Logistics Park. We are also just started developing a MediCity, an Education City, an Institutional City, a Marine Passenger Transport Terminal and Jetty, a Resort City at Kharghar Hills, etc. So I suppose I have been able to touch all of the top 5 priorities that I struck me at the first instance. Q: CIDCO has come in 1970 but it has not taken such a momentum that it is doing now. This is public’s perception. What could be the reason according to you? Dr Mukherjee: That’s something for the people to judge. CIDCO has a chequered history of building the towns of Navi Mumbai, New Aurangabad, New Nasik, New Nanded, etc. in the past. Now it has metamorphosed into a Project Development and Implementing Agency in addition to its original avatar of a New Town Development Authority.

 

Q: Recently Government has brought all the planning authorities under UDCPR. Do you think it will benefit CIDCO too? If yes in what way? Dr Mukherjee: Excepting the NAINA region, all the areas under CIDCO’s jurisdiction have now been bought under UDCPR. These regulations, common for all authorities in Maharashtra, shall result in simplification of procedures, transparency and ease of doing business. So it will benefit everybody, including CIDCO and areas under its domain.

 

Q: You being a son of Nagpur are you planning anything regarding connecting CIDCO to Nagpur?

Dr Mukherjee: Nagpur leads in many things, and hence we have roped in MahaMetro as an Engineer to the Navi Mumbai Metro. CIDCO also has an office in Nagpur, where the remaining issues of the erstwhile Meghdoot Project, now wound up, are being tackled. CIDCO is also the SPA of the Chikhaldara Hill Station , and is making efforts in developing that area.

 

Q: Have you chalked out any plans for Nagpur as Chairman of Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation? Dr Mukherjee: My role is that of Non Executive Chairman of the NSSCDC and a Mentor to the Authorities here. Tremendous work has been done in the NSSCDC in the past and I hope that the authorities of Nagpur are able to take the task forward. For instance, Nagpur has a huge fibre optic-network and that has to be used to bring both revenue and services to the city. I’m hopeful Nagpur Smart City shall become one of the premier smart cities of the State and the nation.

 

Q: What do you feel about Maharastra’s overall development? Dr Mukherjee: Maharashtra has always been a progressive state and ahead of its peers as far as development is concerned. With the huge thrust in public infrastructure that the state has put in, not only in Roads, Railroads, Airports and Ports, but also in agriculture, environment and allied sectors, the State appears to be posed to continue its position as a leader in the country.