US firm to guide state govt on land usage

The state government is taking some professional advice to make optimum use of land in Mumbai as well as across Maharashtra.

The state government is taking some professional advice to make optimum use of land in Mumbai as well as across Maharashtra.

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The Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lambda-Alpha International (LAI), a US-based consultant and advisor on land-related issues.

MEDC will help LAI to set up a chapter in Maharashtra, which will then act as an advisor to the state government regarding land usage. The MoU will also facilitate foreign investment in the country.

LAI operates through a global network of chapters and today it has 22 chapters located worldwide, including in UK, Japan and Canada. “LAI has been quite active in many other countries and we hope that this deal will help the development in the state,” said Dipak Naik, vice-president, MEDC

A two-day conference was held in the city on Thursday and Friday to discuss various problems, plans, and suggestions for land-related issues in developmental process.

Experts from various government and non-government organisations shared their knowledge, experience and plans. “Land market management in urban centres in India is extremely messed up. We need to learn from international markets to unlock precious land,” said speaker Abhay Pethe, director, department of economics, University of Mumbai.

Many suggestions on land development strategies, housing and infrastructure development were discussed in the conference.

“We should focus on redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings since they are responsible for many deaths in the city,” said Mayank Gandhi, secretary, Remaking of Mumbai Federation, while presenting his plan. “Redevelopment of individual buildings is time consuming whereas cluster development can help fulfill many needs. We have a plan to give the city a new look, which will result in better facilities too.”