Infrastructure development plan for MMR soon

MUMBAI: Infrastructure issues in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) would be boosted as an integrated development plan for the region is in offing.

The first meeting of Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan at the Government guest house Sahyadri on Thursday decided to start working on the plan.

"The plan would include building and maintaining roads, creating new dumping grounds, water supply and other infrastructural works for the region," an official from Urban Development department said.

Chief Minister who heads the committee said 45 members would be soon appointed on it. It was decided to form the committee to coordinate with other infrastructural agencies like MMRDA, MHADA, BMC, he said.

The plan would be prepared for seven Municipal Corporations and 13 Municipal Councils, having population of over 10 lakh. The area expected to be developed under the committee in MMR is 4,355 sq km.

Apart from Mumbai and its suburbs, some part of Thane and Raigad districts are also included in the plan, he added.

MMRDA and BMC would be providing initial fund of Rs two crore for the committee and it will have an office at MMRDA building in Bandra-Kurla Complex.

The committee would meet every three months to review the progress of developmental works, he said. A similar kind of plan would be prepared for Pune city.