The Maharashtra state assembly has approved a legislature which extends the jurisdiction of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to Palghar, Vasai, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Ambarnath, Karjat, Khalapur, Pen and Alibaug.
Both houses of Maharashtra legislature Thursday approved a proposal to bring parts of Palghar and Raigad districts under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The state Cabinet had taken the decision to expand the MMRDA's jurisdiction by 2,000 sq km in February. The resolution to expand the jurisdiction was tabled in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The authority is executing several infrastructure projects in these areas including the Surya river water supply scheme and multi-modal transport corridor, Fadnavis later said on Twitter.
There is huge spending on these projects by MMRDA, but the local self-governments' rights will remain intact. These bodies are empowered," said CM Devendra Fadnavis told Mid-Day. Speaking to reporters, Minister of State for Urban Development Yogesh Sagar said the entire Palghar tehsil and parts of Vasai in Palghar district, and parts of Panvel, Pen, Khalapur and Alibag tehsils of Raigad excluding "scheduled areas" will be incorporated in the MMRDA. "There has to be a balanced and speedy development of the projects in the region, such as trans-harbour link and Navi Mumbai International Airport. The MMRDA will be the planning authority of the region," the minister added.
