MMR: The Engine of Maharashtra’s Progress – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Thane : Maharashtra has the potential to become the powerhouse of the country, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is driving this progress, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He emphasized that Thane is a hub of development within this region.

He made these remarks at the ‘Thane Development Parishad-2024’ event, held at Kashinath Ghanekar Theater, under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Present at the event were State Excise and Thane Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Planning Board Vice Chairman Rajesh Kshirsagar, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLA Pratap Sarnaik, former MLA Ravindra Phatak, ‘Mitra’ CEO Praveen Singh Pardeshi, Environment and Climate Change Department Principal Secretary Praveen Darade, MHADA CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal, and other notable dignitaries, including Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority CEO Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, Collector Ashok Shingare, Thane Municipal Corporation Commissioner Saurabh Rao, and officials from various municipal corporations.

Chief Minister Shinde said that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has the capacity to achieve a $1.5 trillion economy by focusing on strategic work in five key sectors. With this approach, Maharashtra can ensure industry, employment, housing, and a green Thane for all. Thane has a history of pioneering initiatives, which later get replicated across the state. He emphasized that Maharashtra has the strength to lead the nation’s progress.

After agriculture, real estate is the second-largest employment-generating sector. Maharashtra now leads in GDP, foreign investment, and infrastructure development across various sectors. The state alone accounts for 52 percent of the country’s total investment. Projects such as the Atal Setu have drastically reduced travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 20 minutes. Despite earlier criticism regarding flamingos, environmental reports show that their numbers have actually doubled.

Shinde highlighted other transformative projects, such as the Samriddhi Highway, which allows travel from Mumbai to Nagpur in just 8 hours. Soon, it will take only 20 minutes to travel from Thane to Borivali. The Eastern Freeway is being expanded, and work on the Virar-Alibag corridor has begun. Advanced technology is being utilized extensively in these development projects. Additionally, work on the Navi Mumbai Airport is nearing completion, and a third airport is being constructed in Palghar.

Industries are flocking to Maharashtra due to its conducive environment for business. Recently, ₹1.37 lakh crore agreements were signed in Davos, with most industries having already begun work. A total of ₹3.5 lakh crore worth of MoUs have been signed. A major electronics semiconductor chip manufacturing project, worth ₹84,000 crore, is also in the pipeline. Maharashtra is attracting large-scale investments across sectors such as power, steel, and pharmaceuticals. The Chief Minister emphasized that he has instructed officials to ensure no complaints arise from the industrial sector, and any grievances are resolved immediately.

Maharashtra is also the first state in the country to offer a stipend to trainees through the Chief Minister’s Youth Training Scheme. Some countries thrive on tourism, and with 720 km of coastline, Maharashtra has enormous potential in this area. Development is being categorized, which will accelerate the state’s progress.

On the housing front, Chief Minister Shinde mentioned that work has commenced to provide rightful housing to people living in dangerous buildings through cluster development, with collaboration between CIDCO and Thane Municipal Corporation. Currently, construction of 17,000 houses is underway in the first phase.

Addressing environmental conservation, Chief Minister Shinde pointed out that the Thane Municipal Corporation has planted 1.25 lakh trees. Additionally, 21 lakh hectares are being used for bamboo cultivation, which is highly beneficial for oxygen generation. He stressed the importance of maintaining environmental balance, calling it the need of the hour.

Thane Development Council Inaugurated at Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Theatre

Thane, 21st (Jimaca): The ‘Thane Development Council-2024’ was organized to study the real challenges of creating a developed city, find solutions, and implement them effectively. The event, held under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region at Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Theatre, Thane, was inaugurated today.

A large number of entrepreneurs, students, officials, and citizens from various sectors attended the event.

On this occasion, several notable dignitaries were present, including Mitra CEO Praveen Singh Pardeshi, Principal Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Department Praveen Darade, CEO of the Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, Thane Collector Ashok Shingare, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Mitra Co-CEOs Sushil Khodvekar and Aman Mittal, and several other key figures from various government departments and corporations.

The event was organized to create a comprehensive development plan for Thane district, making effective use of available resources. At the inauguration, Thane District Collector Ashok Shingare presented the Thane Strategic Plan. Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, CEO of the Mumbai Slum Rehabilitation Authority Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, CIDCO Joint Managing Director Shantanu Goyal, and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation Joint Chief Executive Officer Anil Bhandari discussed key issues, such as Housing for All, Information Technology, Industries 4.0, Environment, and Employment Generation through a computerized presentation.

Mitra CEO Praveen Singh Pardeshi highlighted the objectives and purpose of the conference. Additionally, seminars were conducted on the five major topics of Housing for All, Information Technology, Industries 4.0, Environment, and Employment Generation. These sessions were moderated by Mansi Sontakke. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Additional Commissioner of Thane Municipal Corporation, Dr. Prashant Rode.