In a significant move towards strategic urban development, the Maharashtra state’s urban development department has designated the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) as a Special Planning Authority (SPA) for the coastal districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Palghar along the state’s west coast.
This transformative decision aims to streamline the planning and development processes in the region and marks a departure from the current system where construction approvals are contingent on municipal corporation councils or gram panchayats. Former BMC commissioner and seasoned 1977 batch IAS officer, Subodh Kumar, has been appointed to spearhead a high-level advisory board tasked with formulating a comprehensive plan for development, employment, and sustainable initiatives in the Konkan region. CIDCO, originally established in 1970 with a primary focus on developing Navi Mumbai, is now entrusted with the responsibility of executing large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Navi Mumbai Metro.
As outlined in the official notification, CIDCO is mandated to undertake meticulous planning, ensuring environmental protection, conservation, and the generation of non-conventional energy. The corporation is also directed to devise plans for eco-friendly and adventure tourism, preservation of historical forts, and the creation of tourism-centric infrastructure. Additionally, the planning agency is charged with the inclusive development of the local populace through engagement in tourism, processing industries, and employment generation, thereby mitigating migration. In an ambitious move, CIDCO is further directed to enlist the services of an international agency to facilitate these developmental objectives. The overarching goal is not only to foster economic empowerment but also to align the development initiatives with sustainable practices.
This strategic reorientation towards CIDCO as the SPA for coastal districts signifies a paradigm shift in the approach to regional development, setting the stage for integrated planning, economic growth, and environmental conservation in Maharashtra’s western coastal belt.
