Positive Decision to Be Taken on Cluster Redevelopment of Mahim Fishermen’s Colony – Minister Shambhuraj Desai

Mumbai, February 2026 : Minister Shambhuraj Desai informed the Legislative Council that a positive decision will be taken on the cluster redevelopment proposal of the fishermen’s colony at Mahim, which forms part of Mumbai’s historical and cultural heritage. He said a meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde to deliberate on the proposal.

Legislative Council Member Prasad Lad had raised a calling attention motion on the issue. Members Sunil Shinde, Pravin Darekar, Anil Parab, and Sachin Ahir participated in the discussion.

Minister Desai said that, in view of complaints regarding delays in the project, instructions have been issued to convene a meeting under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chairperson of MHADA and submit the redevelopment proposal. After receipt of the proposal, a policy has been decided to undertake integrated or cluster redevelopment of MHADA layouts in Greater Mumbai and the suburban areas having an area of 20 acres or more. Accordingly, development through the cluster approach will be expedited.

Efforts to Provide Maximum Compensation to Konkan Mango Growers – Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister Bharat Gogawale

Mumbai, February 24:
Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister Bharat Gogawale stated in the Legislative Council that complaints have been received regarding damage to mango blossoms and reduced fruit setting due to climate change in the Konkan region. Field inspections are underway, and after receiving the assessment report, efforts will be made to provide maximum possible compensation to mango growers.

Members Sunil Shinde and Pravin Darekar raised a calling attention motion on the problems faced by mango orchard farmers in Konkan. Members Bhai Jagtap and Eknath Khadse participated in the discussion.

Minister Gogawale said that in 2025, natural calamities affected 105.88 lakh hectares across 34 districts of the state, for which funds amounting to ₹10,583.69 crore were made available. In the Konkan division, 90,800 hectares were affected, of which 2,115 hectares were under mango cultivation. Compensation of ₹86.76 crore has been approved for Konkan. He also clarified that, as per the Central Government’s policy, minimum support price is not applicable to perishable fruit crops, and hence MSP cannot be provided for mangoes.

Khandesh Expressway DPR Under Process to Improve Connectivity in North Maharashtra – Minister of State Meghna Sakore Bordikar

Mumbai, February 24:
Minister of State Meghna Sakore Bordikar stated in the Legislative Council that the state government has accorded top priority to creating a network of access-controlled expressways to make travel easier and enable people to reach major cities within six to eight hours. In this context, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 105-kilometre-long Khandesh access-controlled expressway project, aimed at improving fast connectivity for North Maharashtra—covering Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar districts—is being prepared by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.

Legislative Council Member Satyajit Tambe had raised the calling attention motion.

Minister Bordikar said that interconnectivity will be provided between Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and the government has decided to connect all talukas in the state with highways. She added that contractors concerned have been instructed to carry out necessary repairs on the HinduhRudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg. If serious deficiencies are found, strict action will be taken and the contractors will be blacklisted.

She further said that most accidents on the Samruddhi Expressway occur due to human error, and preventive measures are being implemented. Food malls on the expressway are operational, while other facilities and development works are in progress. Pending land acquisition compensation will be disbursed at the earliest. The bridge works on the Amane–Thane route to connect Mumbai to the Samruddhi Expressway are in the final stage and are planned to be opened for traffic in June.

Members Kishor Darade, Bhai Jagtap, Anil Parab, Hemant Patil, Pravin Darekar, and Eknath Khadse also participated in the discussion.

Instructions to Complete Lasalgaon Regional Water Supply Scheme for 16 Villages on Time Under Jal Jeevan Mission – Minister of State Meghna Bordikar

Mumbai, February 24:
Minister of State Meghna Bordikar informed the Legislative Council that instructions have been issued to complete the regional water supply scheme for Lasalgaon city and 16 surrounding villages within the stipulated time under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Legislative Council Member Pankaj Bhujbal had raised a calling attention motion, noting that Lasalgaon is a major market in Nashik district and, given its rapid development and growing population, the water supply works must be completed on time to address water scarcity. Member Kishor Darade also participated in the discussion.

Minister Bordikar said that administrative approval of ₹20.10 crore has been granted for the regional water supply scheme covering Lasalgaon, Vinchur, and 16 villages in Niphad taluka of Nashik district. Additionally, under retrofitting and as per Jal Jeevan Mission norms of supplying 55 litres per capita per day, administrative approval has been accorded to a revised estimate of ₹26.55 crore. The scheme is currently proposed under retrofitting using existing sources of the Nandur Madhyameshwar Project. After completion, residents of Lasalgaon and nearby areas will receive regular water supply at 55 litres per capita per day in accordance with Jal Jeevan Mission standards.