Mumbai– The Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project became a focal point of discussion in the Maharashtra Legislative Council earlier this week, as BJP MLAs raised concerns over alleged irregularities in contract allocations and the vested interests of CIDCO officials.
BJP MLAs questioned how CIDCO appointed contractors for Rs 7,900 crore worth of work without acquiring the necessary land and why an advance payment of Rs 300 crore was made before construction commenced. They demanded an inquiry into the officials involved and called for criminal charges against them. Additionally, they urged the government to appoint a separate Joint Managing Director to expedite the NAINA project.
Raising the issue in the legislature on March 10, BJP MLA Prashant Thakur emphasized the struggles of landowners affected by the project. On Monday, BJP MLC Vikrant Patil reiterated these concerns, highlighting that CIDCO’s Joint Managing Director, Shantanu Goyal, is currently handling 20 different departments, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport project and CIDCO’s housing schemes. Patil suggested relieving Goyal of some responsibilities and appointing a dedicated Joint Managing Director for NAINA.
He also raised concerns about road planning on lands that still legally belong to farmers, questioning how CIDCO could proceed without land acquisition or compensation.
Government’s Response
Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Urban Development Minakshi Misal stated that the feasibility of appointing a separate Joint Managing Director would be examined. She clarified that, under the MRTP Act, the approval of the draft development plan allows the use of required land for infrastructure purposes. She also assured that property cards have been prepared for landowners in TPS-1 and TPS-7 schemes, and contract allocations followed legal procedures.
Regarding housing issues, Misal noted that out of 5,000 houses in the NAINA project, concerns regarding 3,000 have been addressed. She assured that CIDCO would make decisions in consultation with local representatives and gram panchayats. She urged farmers to cooperate with the survey process to help resolve land-related disputes.
Additionally, she confirmed that provisions of the UDCPR have been implemented, and unauthorized construction registrations have been halted, though transactions for regularized buildings remain unaffected.
The NAINA project, aimed at developing areas surrounding the Navi Mumbai International Airport, has faced resistance from landowners and political scrutiny over its execution. With increasing pressure from opposition parties, the Maharashtra government now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while ensuring the project moves forward smoothly.
