Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis superceded several state leaders, to become one of the youngest chief ministers. And now as the 44-year-old gets down to business, he has his task cut out.
Urban development and housing are expected to be high on the CM's priority list. But rather than announcing new policies, the task before Fadnavis is to first tie-up loose ends left behind by the previous government. Take for instance, the setting up of the state's housing regulator. The plan received presidential assent in February earlier this year but it still hasn't seen light of the day.
"The guidelines are pretty much laid out, once the agency starts functioning it will protect interest from everybody. The public agencies that are responsible for granting permissions they also should be brought under the purview of this agency. They also have to own up the responsibility of prompt permission or at least examine the proposals on time, if the proposals are faulty, go ahead and reject them but just sitting on proposals for long time is certainly not acceptable, that is missing," remarks Ashutosh Limaye, Head, Research, JLL India.
Digitisation is expected to be a key focus area for the new government. Fadnavis is likely to take a cue from central government and move towards online applications for all projects. This is likely to cut down delays in project approvals. The BJP manifesto promised development of business districts in all municipalities within Mumbai metropolitan region, establishment of 10 smart cities in Maharashtra, business districts like BKC in all the municipalities within Mumbai Metropolitan Region and establishment of 10 smart cities in the state.
But experts believe issues specific to the state like the cluster policy which has cleared by Maharashtra Cabinet in September need to be addressed first. The policy entitles redevelopment of building which are more than 40 years old, and it also allows 1,000-1,500 land parcels to be opened up for development in Mumbai.
"It is not just related to Mumbai, even in other cities we need to ensure there is enough economic relief for all stake holders for the scheme to take off," says Ashutosh Limaye.
The list of old unfinished projects is a long one. The elevated railway corridor, water transport, metro and monorail connectivity are again in the spotlight. As Maharashtra's first BJP government gears up to invite industries
to 'Make in Maharashtra', it is perhaps aware that expectations of removing the state's long standing infrastructure bottlenecks run high.
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