Shinde assures NAINA landowners they will be partners in development, not just scheme beneficiaries

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured landowners in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) that they will be partners in development and not merely beneficiaries of schemes. He said pending issues would be resolved soon and that the area would be developed thoughtfully, keeping people in mind.

Shinde was speaking on Sunday at an event in Panvel, where CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation) launched development works in the NAINA area. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar were among those present.

Property cards were distributed to landowners at the event. Key roads connecting to Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Uran bypass road were also inaugurated.

According to Shinde, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Atal Setu and new connectivity projects have given a major boost to the development of the Panvel-Uran-NAINA belt. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Mumbai-Goa highway and other infrastructure projects will further raise the area's prospects. He said the area could become a growth engine for what is being called the "Third Mumbai".

On the concern and uncertainty people feel about the NAINA project, Shinde said the government had taken steps to bring the process closer to the people. Betterment charges have been reduced to zero, the freehold process has been speeded up and property cards are being given to landowners.

Shinde said, "When people give up their land, they should get proper facilities and infrastructure. The government's approach is not to push the project through by force, but to develop it according to people's suggestions." He also said the government was committed to resolving old issues and wanted local people to have an important role in development.

Housing complexes will be built in the NAINA area along with essential facilities such as water supply, roads, a sewage system, electricity, gardens, schools, hospitals and playgrounds.

Among the water schemes, Shinde described the proposed Kondhane dam project as an important part. Its cost is estimated at about Rs 5,300 crore. He assured that efforts would be made to remove the obstacles facing the project.

According to Shinde, proposed projects in the NAINA planning area, such as Edu-City, Medi-City, Sports City, Aero-City and Knowledge City, are expected to create jobs and earning opportunities. Connectivity will be strengthened further through the Mumbai-Navi Mumbai metro, Atal Setu, the Missing Link and other schemes.

Shinde said, "Better connectivity speeds up development, saves time and fuel, and reduces pollution." The Navi Mumbai International Airport and Atal Setu will make it easier to reach this area within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), boosting residential development, economic activity and new investment.

Shinde claimed that projects faced delays and obstacles during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, while the Mahayuti government, after coming to power in 2022, removed hurdles and sped up work. He said, "Our foot is on the accelerator, not the brake."

He said the development of the NAINA area would rest on three principles: transparency, trust and change. He reiterated that landowners would be treated as partners in the process and not merely as beneficiaries of government schemes. Shinde also mentioned major infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including the proposed Vadhavan port. In his view, these projects could help make the whole region a hub of economic growth.

Those present included Guardian Minister Bharatshet Gogawale; MPs Shrirang Barne and Sunil Tatkare; Zilla Parishad president Mangesh Wakdikar; MLAs Niranjan Davkhare, Dnyaneshwar Mhatre, Vikrant Patil, Aniket Tatkare, Prashant Thakur, Mahesh Baldi and Nitesh Patil; former MP Ramsheth Thakur; Jay Mhatre; Milind Bharambe; Siddharam Salimath; and CIDCO Managing Director Ashwin Mudgal. Officials, public representatives, farmers and local people also attended.