In an interview with Siddhant Konduskar, Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) discusses his goals to improve the city’s quality of life, expanding population, and future development. Dr. Shinde lists important projects meant to strengthen Navi Mumbai’s liveability and preparedness for upcoming difficulties, emphasizing governance, sustainability, and infrastructure.
Navi Mumbai is a clean, well-planned city with excellent roadways. My goal is to improve connectivity by implementing infrastructure projects that will further streamline and facilitate the city. Future initiatives like the Turbhe-Kharghar tunnel and the Airoli-Ghansoli bridge will facilitate transportation and enhance accessibility. To enhance entry and exit points, we are also constructing a new line on the Thane Creek Bridge in Vashi.
There are currently 18 lakh people living there, and by 2028, that number is predicted to rise to 23 lakh. By expanding metro lines, improving suburban rail connectivity, and improving road networks, we are getting ready. Another issue is water supply, however the Bhira Dam project would guarantee a consistent flow of drinkable water. To handle upcoming difficulties, we are also equipped with a 450 million-liter sewage treatment plant.
Health and education are important areas of concern in addition to transportation. We currently have three hospitals with 600 beds, and a fourth is being built. In addition, the city is home to mother-child care centres, urban primary health centres, and reproductive healthcare facilities. In terms of education, we have converted three municipal schools to CBSE and are developing a postgraduate medical college in Nerul.
Priority is given to liveability. Within four years, we will have a sports complex the size of the Olympics. More leisure areas, museums, cultural institutes, and open theatres are also planned. We have a strong transport system that includes 24-hour water supply, NMMT buses, and EV charging stations. My objective is to eliminate slums in Navi Mumbai by 2030 by implementing a comprehensive cluster development program.
Our goal is to preserve and increase Navi Mumbai’s 34% green cover. We prioritise planting native species that support the ecology, such as mango, neem, and tamarind, and we already have 15 lakh trees. We guarantee compensation and constantly look for options to reduce the environmental impact, even if infrastructure projects may necessitate some tree-cutting, particularly for roadways.
All NMMC departments now operate more efficiently thanks to the introduction of an e-office system. We guarantee quicker approvals, improved tracking, and fewer chances of misplacement by digitising files. This move will be supported by a dedicated computer area. In order to improve convenience for inhabitants of Navi Mumbai, we are also shifting citizen services online and reducing in-person visits.
Source: The Indian Express
