Maharashtra to form panel to develop Asia's largest logistics hub in Bhiwandi
MUMBAI: Industries Minister Uday Samant on Tuesday said the largest logistics hub in Asia can be built in Bhiwandi, and announced in the Legislative Assembly that the state government will set up a committee to work toward this goal. Samant made the announcement in response to demands made by Bhiwandi East MLA Rais Shaikh .
Samant said Shaikh will be part of the committee. Bhiwandi is already home to several large warehouses and logistics centres that serve top e-commerce giants.
“The government acknowledges the technical difficulties, such as appointing IAS officers in Bhiwandi and taking back the powers of MMRDA. Therefore, accepting the request of MLA Rais Shaikh, we will form a committee of four or five people, including officials from the industries and urban development departments. We will move forward after finalising the policy,” Samant said.
During the discussion in the Assembly, Shaikh drew the government’s attention to the potential of developing Bhiwandi as a logistics hub.
“There is a need to appoint an IAS officer for the Bhiwandi Surrounding Notified Area. The 60 villages and Bhiwandi city together cover an area of 144 square kilometres, which is 30% of Mumbai. All the powers of local bodies are currently with the authority. Government land worth Rs 3,000 crore is being encroached upon and needs to be protected. If the government is serious about this issue, Bhiwandi will have the biggest share in making the state's $1 trillion economy a reality,” Shaikh said.
Shaikh also raised issues regarding the collapse of a building in Bhiwandi, which resulted in the death of a five-year-old child, as well as a nexus of officials involved in unauthorised constructions. He demanded an inquiry and strict action.
Samant said Shaikh will be part of the committee. Bhiwandi is already home to several large warehouses and logistics centres that serve top e-commerce giants.
“The government acknowledges the technical difficulties, such as appointing IAS officers in Bhiwandi and taking back the powers of MMRDA. Therefore, accepting the request of MLA Rais Shaikh, we will form a committee of four or five people, including officials from the industries and urban development departments. We will move forward after finalising the policy,” Samant said.
During the discussion in the Assembly, Shaikh drew the government’s attention to the potential of developing Bhiwandi as a logistics hub.
“There is a need to appoint an IAS officer for the Bhiwandi Surrounding Notified Area. The 60 villages and Bhiwandi city together cover an area of 144 square kilometres, which is 30% of Mumbai. All the powers of local bodies are currently with the authority. Government land worth Rs 3,000 crore is being encroached upon and needs to be protected. If the government is serious about this issue, Bhiwandi will have the biggest share in making the state's $1 trillion economy a reality,” Shaikh said.
Shaikh also raised issues regarding the collapse of a building in Bhiwandi, which resulted in the death of a five-year-old child, as well as a nexus of officials involved in unauthorised constructions. He demanded an inquiry and strict action.
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