Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai residents have expressed their frustration regarding significant delays in launching various infrastructure projects and public amenities, despite their completion in the city. They contend that the NMMC has been unsuccessful in making these completed public facilities operational, with the reasons unclear to the public. The civic chief’s investigation, prompted by public grievances, revealed that while most projects stand completed, they have remained dormant for months. The authorities’ indifferent approach has led to this situation, as they attribute the delays to the Lok Sabha and subsequent state assembly elections. During these elections, the model code of conduct prohibited grand inauguration ceremonies for public projects.
NMMC commissioner Kailash Shinde recently conducted a departmental review meeting to evaluate ongoing projects and ready-but-unused facilities. He highlighted the necessity of proper utilisation of commissioned public buildings and urged quick activation of pending civic amenities, particularly with upcoming civic body elections following state polls. The property department has been directed to create a detailed inventory of unused municipal structures, said Shinde.
Concerned citizen Sameer Tupe pointed out that numerous public projects remain unutilised, with the civic body showing minimal concern about the invested expenditure. “The newly built 7-story structure of Airoli fire station has just been operated, but the residential flats have been lying vacant, whereas the employees are living in rented houses elsewhere. The much-awaited theatre work, second in the city, has been delayed unprecedentedly,” said Tupe, noting that the veterinary hospital at Sanada and old-age home at Nerul stand unused.
Shinde stated that “Department heads have been tasked with the responsibility of operationalising the public facilities, with particular emphasis on getting ready markets functional. I have mandated that 30 per cent of civic-built market space should be allocated to products from disabled individuals, Education and Training Centre trainees, and women’s self-help groups. Instructions were given to expedite the utilisation of various municipal properties, including commercial premises, office spaces, community centres, day care centres, and recreation centres. A suggestion was made to develop an online portal for monitoring and managing these facilities.”
The commercial space at Vashi fire brigade remains unused for years, alongside delays in completing the multi-storey bus terminal at Vashi depot. Vashi resident Manohar Shroff noted, “Once the ready facilities are operationalised, revenue generation will start, particularly through property tax collection.” Reports indicate that Shinde has directed all civic services to be available online and integrated with Maharashtra govt’s ‘Aaple Sarkar’ portal.
