Thousands of inhabitants of Navi Mumbai will soon experience significant relief as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered that property tax be waived for homes up to 500 square feet, following a high-level meeting with MLA Ganesh Naik. Senior representatives from a number of departments, including the government, CIDCO, Municipal Corporation, MMRDA, MSRDC, Maritime Board, and MIDC, attended the meeting, which took place on Thursday, August 8, at Sahyadri Guest House.

Main results of the discussion:

1. Property Tax Exemption for Small Houses: One of the meeting’s most important conclusions was the approval of MLA Ganesh Naik’s request to exempt properties up to 500 square feet from property taxes. Thousands of regular Navi Mumbai residents would benefit greatly from this decision, which will also relieve a large financial strain.

2. Preservation of Civic Amenity Plots: Specific plots were set aside for civic amenities in the city’s development plan. CIDCO had intended to sell these plots, though. MLA Naik disagreed, claiming that these lands were necessary for future civic services in Navi Mumbai. As requested by the Municipal Corporation, the Chief Minister has now ordered that the sale of these plots be stopped and that they be reserved.

3. The appointment of Ujjwal Nikam, an experienced lawyer, in the Akshata Agaskar case was advocated by MLA Naik in order to gain the death penalty for the defendants in the case involving the torture and murder of Akshata Agaskar’s sister. Nikam’s employment as a special advocate in the case has been ordered by the Chief Minister, who has granted this demand.

4. Regularization of projects for Project Victims: MLA Naik further urged that the ownership rights to the property be granted to the project victims in order to regularize all essential projects completed by them to date. We are taking this requirement into consideration right now.

5. Assistance for CIDCO’s BMTC individuals: A voluntary program that offers 100 square feet of land or one million rupees to employees of the company’s departed BMTC transport service has been approved, giving these individuals much-needed financial help.

6. Settlement of Diva Jetty Issue: A long-standing dispute over the Diva jetty has been settled. The Chief Minister has ordered that work, which had been put on hold because of a lack of clearances, shall now start up again right away.

7. The Airoli-Kalyan-Dombivli Elevated Road Project is a result of MLA Naik’s tenacious support for building an elevated road connecting Airoli and Kalyan-Dombivli Katai. The routes from Katai and Mumbai have already been finished, and work on the route from Mumbai will soon start.

8. Promotion of Marathi Language and Folk Arts: The government has sanctioned the construction of a Lokkala Bhawan by the Municipal Corporation at Ghansoli and a Marathi Bhasha Bhawan by MIDC at Airoli in order to promote Marathi language and folk arts. The Chief Minister has given specific directives to move these projects along quickly.

9. Financial support for Fishermen: In accordance with the Chief Minister’s order, fishermen who experienced financial losses as a result of the Nhavasheva Atal Setu will get financial support right now.

10. Water Quota from Barvi Dam: The issue of water scarcity in Navi Mumbai was also tackled. The Chief Minister has instructed the relevant agencies to respond promptly on MLA Naik’s demand to receive the agreed-upon water allotment for Navi Mumbai from Barvi Dam.

11. Turbhe-Kharghar Road Project: This project would greatly enhance connection between Kharghar and Navi Mumbai, and the Chief Minister has also approved its early start.

MLA Ganesh Naik stated, “It is anticipated that the Chief Minister’s directives will result in significant enhancements to the city’s infrastructure and offer respite to its populace.”