Maharashtra CM knocks on PMO for city’s slum development

April 10, 2018 00:59 IST

Updated: April 10, 2018 00:59 IST

Devendra Fadnavis also discusses restoration of Raigad Fort

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in New Delhi on Monday to push for speedy approval of issues related to redevelopment of slums in Mumbai.

Mr. Fadnavis met principal secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Misra, and urged for speedy approval to the Slum Areas Act, which promises to allow structures in Mumbai post 2011 to get homes under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna (PMAY). The Centre was also urged to clear amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms as early as possible to allow pending redevelopment of 252 slums along the coastline. This is likely to benefit 1.5 lakh persons.

“We need a Presidential approval for the Slums Act. The Centre has assured that all the pending approvals will come in the next 10 days. The CRZ approval related to the development of 252 slums along the coast is vital and should be accorded in the next 15 days. We took up these pending projects with the PMO, and they have promised us positive action,” Mr. Fadnavis said on Monday after the meet.

As per the recently passed Slum Areas Act, the non-eligible dwellers will be accommodated under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRA) and given homes under the PMAY. The Bill has amended the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act 1971, which promises to provide homes to 20 lakh slum dwellers.

Mr. Fadnavis also brought up issues related to the ongoing restoration of heritage forts in Raigad, which is being carried out with the help of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the concerns around as many as 100 pending irrigation projects. “The ASI has been providing assistance but we have asked Centre to allow us to sign MoUs with them. This would mean a collaboration on sharing machinery and manpower in the future,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

The Centre is yet to pay its share of development of 100 irrigation schemes. The PMO promised to resolve all issues at the earliest, Mr. Fadnavis said after the meeting on Monday.