Forest minister and senior BJP leader Ganesh Naik on Thursday declared that no redevelopment or demolition project in Navi Mumbai — including action against officially dangerous buildings — would proceed without his explicit consent, drawing sharp political and administrative reactions.
Speaking at a Janta Darbar at Vashi’s Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, attended by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) commissioner Kailas Shinde and other officials, Naik alleged that prime plots reserved for public amenities were being diverted to private developers through manipulation of rules.
“I am ashamed to be in a cabinet where urban development personnel commit such acts,” Naik said, in an apparent swipe at deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who handles the urban development portfolio. “I have no use of being a minister if I cannot speak for the people.”
Earlier this week, Naik had ordered an audit of the six-year administrative rule at the NMMC prior to civic polls, following allegations that projects linked to Shiv Sena corporators were fast-tracked. His latest directive, however, has raised concerns among officials who warn it could stall redevelopment in older CIDCO nodes such as Vashi, Airoli, Koparkhairane and Ghansoli, where ageing buildings await clearance under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR).
“Now, with Naik’s decree, negotiations between builders and old housing societies will come to a halt, placing residents’ life in limbo,” an official said.
Another official cautioned that bypassing established civic hierarchy could paralyse administration. “Fearing political retaliation, bureaucrats will now sit on pending CC files rather than process them,” the official said.
Naik also criticised CIDCO and said he would urge Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure diverted amenity plots are restored to the NMMC.
The rival Shiv Sena has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court challenging Naik’s authority to intervene in municipal administration.
Source: Hindustan Times
