Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal emphasised the significance of smooth coordination between government departments to address delayed housing and infrastructure projects in Mumbai during a high-level meeting on Tuesday at the BMC headquarters. He added that senior officials from all relevant departments will soon gather at the Mantralaya for a follow-up meeting to have a more thorough conversation.
To enhance accountability and efficiency, the state government has appointed Guardian Secretaries for each district. Iqbal Singh Chahal has been designated as the Guardian Secretary for Mumbai City, with a mandate to drive consistent and proactive efforts across departments.
Chahal chaired a joint meeting that included key stakeholders such as Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioners Abhijit Bangar, Dr. Bipin Sharma, Dr. Ashwini Joshi, and Dr. Amit Saini, along with senior officials from MHADA, MMRDA, SRA, and other crucial agencies.
The discussion focused on delayed projects under MHADA, SRA, and MMRDA, including housing schemes and redevelopment of police colonies. Chahal assured that the government is exploring fund allocation for landslide prevention in hilly areas of the city ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Officials from MHADA raised concerns regarding the long-pending BDD Chawl redevelopment and Kamathipura housing projects, while MMRDA provided updates on ongoing metro construction work.
Chahal reiterated that various civic and state projects are interdependent, highlighting the need for integrated planning and sustained communication. “For Mumbai to maintain its leadership across sectors and enhance quality of life, departments must work in tandem with a shared long-term vision,” he stated.
He concluded by urging all departments to ensure consistent collaboration and strategic planning for sustainable urban outcomes.
Source: The Free Press Journal
