October 31, 2025: A controversy has erupted over the Lokmanya Nagar self-redevelopment project, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray alleging that the initiative, chosen by residents themselves, was stalled following interference from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Thackeray claims the project was halted due to local political pressures, undermining the will of the community that had opted for self-redevelopment over builder-led redevelopment.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Thackeray demanded that justice be ensured for the residents of Lokmanya Nagar, calling the decision “unfair” and detrimental to citizen participation in urban development. He alleged that the move favoured builders with vested interests in Pune’s real estate sector, while disregarding the residents’ collective choice to manage redevelopment independently.
“The interference from the CMO has denied residents the right to shape their own neighbourhood,” Thackeray asserted, accusing the administration of prioritising political and commercial considerations over transparency and local empowerment.
Thackeray also expressed concern over the upcoming optic fibre installation works, which involve extensive road digging in the area. He warned that these activities would cause further inconvenience to citizens, potentially damaging the existing infrastructure that residents have maintained diligently over the years.
The dispute reflects growing tensions between political factions over Mumbai’s urban redevelopment policies, particularly around self-redevelopment projects, which aim to give housing societies greater autonomy in managing reconstruction. Residents and civic activists have repeatedly called for policy consistency to prevent political interference in citizen-led initiatives, which they believe are essential for fair, transparent, and sustainable urban renewal.
Source: Devdiscourse
