Mumbai: Fadnavis launches MMR mega financial hub plan

A decade after the ambitious Mumbai makeover proposal was first presented by the Congress-NCP government and fell short of expectations, the BJP government has taken up the responsibility of transforming the megapolis into a global city.

A decade after the ambitious Mumbai makeover proposal was first presented by the Congress-NCP government and fell short of expectations, the BJP government led by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken up the responsibility of transforming the megapolis into a global city.

Fadnavis on Friday announced his plans to revamp the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as a major global financial, business and tourism hub.

HT had on Friday reported about the CM’s plans to expand the financial capital, with a mega business district along the lines of Nariman Point and BKC to be set up near the proposed new airport at Panvel. To kick-start a dialogue on the makeover, Fadnavis announced a big event — Mumbai Next: Transformation MMR — on February 6, which too was reported by HT on Friday. The event will bring prominent faces from the administration, India Inc, entertainment industry and civil society under one roof.

“Bigwigs such as Cyrus Mistry, Mukesh Ambani and Amitabh Bachchan are expected to attend the event,” said Fadnavis. On the agenda are three panel discussions on crucial infrastructure projects, making Mumbai an entertainment hub and transforming the city into a financial services hub.

A war room in the chief minister’s office (CMO) along with Bombay First will closely monitor all projects and ensure that deadlines are met.

“We are no longer talking of just Mumbai, but the entire MMR. By creating one BKC, we could fuel growth. How do we exploit opportunities in the MMR? On this platform, we hope to deliberate on several issues with the civil society to create a framework for achieving the target,” said Fadnavis.

Union minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha and MP Poonam Mahajan are expected to be present at the event. The CM said they have organised the event before the Union budget so that the Centre would consider the city’s ambitious plans in its annual document.

“We have had enough of visions and plans. Now it is time for action. That’s the difference between the last government and ours,” said Fadnavis, pointing out the difference in approach between his and the previous government on the Mumbai makeover project.