Members of Parliament from Maharashtra inquired about the actions taken by the government to address obstacles and ensure timely completion of various projects.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that the Smart Cities Mission is in line with the Government of India’s urban development policies, which are based on constitutional mandates. According to the 12th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (Article 243W), urban planning is primarily the responsibility of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities. Nevertheless, the central government supports states through strategic interventions and schemes, recognizing urbanization as a crucial driver of economic development.
In a related announcement, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed a significant initiative aimed at addressing the issue of abandoned and dangerous buildings in Mumbai, which have led to the displacement of many residents. Shinde assured that the government is dedicated to rehoming displaced citizens by providing them with suitable housing.
Shinde stated that the state has launched a redevelopment initiative for unsafe and incomplete projects, collaborating with entities such as MSRDC, MIDC, BMC, MHADA, SRA, and CIDCO. In the first phase, the goal is to complete 200,000 homes, assigning each agency two to three projects. The government also intends to promote self-redevelopment to hasten the completion of stalled initiatives.
This scheme is currently being piloted in Thane city with the involvement of CIDCO and the Thane Municipal Corporation. This effort is anticipated to provide a comprehensive solution to the housing issues in the city while ensuring that displaced residents are relocated to safe and secure homes.
