Navi Mumbai: Significant relief is on the way for thousands of Navi Mumbai residents as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following a high-level meeting with MLA Ganesh Naik, ordered the exemption of property tax for houses up to 500 square feet. The meeting, held on Thursday, 8th August at Sahyadri Guest House, was attended by senior officials from various departments, including the Government, CIDCO, Municipal Corporation, MMRDA, MSRDC, Maritime Board, and MIDC.

Key outcomes from the meeting:

1. Property Tax Exemption for Small Houses: One of the most critical outcomes of the meeting was the acceptance of MLA Ganesh Naik's demand to exempt property taxes for houses up to 500 square feet. This decision will provide substantial relief to thousands of ordinary citizens in Navi Mumbai, alleviating a significant financial burden.

2. Preservation of Civic Amenity Plots: In the city's development plan, certain plots were reserved for civic amenities. However, CIDCO had planned to sell these plots. MLA Naik opposed this move, arguing that Navi Mumbai would need these plots for future civic amenities. The Chief Minister has now instructed that the sale of these plots be halted and that they be reserved as demanded by the Municipal Corporation.

3. Appointment of Advocate Ujwal Nikam in the Akshata Agaskar Case: MLA Naik had urged the appointment of expert lawyer Ujwal Nikam to secure the death penalty for the accused in the case of the torture and murder of Akshata Agaskar's sister. The Chief Minister has agreed to this demand and ordered Nikam's appointment as a special advocate in the case.

4. Regularization of Constructions for Project Victims: MLA Naik also demanded that all necessary constructions done by project victims to date should be regularized by granting them ownership rights to the land. This demand is currently under consideration.

5. Support for CIDCO's BMTC Workers: A voluntary scheme offering either 100 square feet of land or one million rupees for the workers of CIDCO's defunct BMTC transport service has been approved, providing much-needed livelihood support to these workers.

6. Resolution of Diva Jetty Issue: The longstanding issue concerning the jetty at Diva has been resolved. Work, which had been stalled due to a lack of permissions, will now resume immediately, following the Chief Minister's orders.

7. Airoli-Kalyan-Dombivli Elevated Road Project: MLA Naik's persistent advocacy for the construction of an elevated road from Airoli to Kalyan-Dombivli Katai has borne fruit. Both routes from Katai have been completed, and construction of the route from Mumbai will commence shortly.

8. Promotion of Marathi Language and Folk Arts: To promote Marathi language and folk arts, the government has approved the construction of a Marathi Bhasha Bhawan at Airoli by MIDC and a Lokkala Bhawan at Ghansoli by the Municipal Corporation. The Chief Minister has provided clear instructions to expedite these projects.

9. Financial Assistance for Fishermen: Fishermen who suffered commercial losses due to the Navaseva Atal Setu will receive immediate financial assistance, as per the Chief Minister's directive.

10. Water Quota from Barvi Dam: Navi Mumbai's water shortage issue was also addressed. MLA Naik insisted on receiving the agreed water quota from Barvi Dam for Navi Mumbai, and the Chief Minister has directed the concerned authorities to take immediate action on this demand.

11. Turbhe-Kharghar Road Project: The Chief Minister has also given the green light for the prompt commencement of the Turbhe-Kharghar road project, which will significantly improve connectivity between Navi Mumbai and Kharghar.

“The Chief Minister's orders are expected to bring about substantial improvements in the city's infrastructure and provide relief to its citizens”, said MLA Ganesh Naik.