Deshmukh set the ball rolling for city’s makeover plans

Despite being hit by indefinite delays, the Mumbai Makeover plan announced by Vilasrao Deshmukh during his first stint as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is regarded by many as the precursor for the much-needed vision for the metropolis. With a view to transforming 'Mumbai into Shanghai', Deshmukh had announced mega infrastructure initiatives worth Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2003 to be taken up in the city and completed in the decade that followed. While a large part of the plan still remains on paper, many within and outside the government do not shy away from crediting Deshmukh for initiating the makeover of not just Mumbai, but also its neighbourhood.

Factors such as handling a coalition government, internal political resistance and lack of co-ordination among various government agencies in the city came in the way of Deshmukh and his plan, said Narinder Nayar, chairman of Bombay First, an NGO that worked closely with the state government for the implementation of the plan. "An important breakthrough was the formation of the Empowered Committee that Deshmukh appointed to ensure co-ordination between government agencies and representatives of the private sector. Marine Drive beautification, modernisation of the international airport, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, work on the Bandra-Kurla Complex as a financial hub and preparation of a 40-year concept plan were some of the projects initiated during his tenure. A lot of work still remains due to innumerable delays in sanctions and lack of funding," said Nayar.

In February 2008, at the International Economic Forum (IEF) meet in Davos, Deshmukh had admitted that the pace of infrastructure development was very slow in Mumbai, as a result of which foreign investors were turning away from the city.

Controversies that surrounded Deshmukh's political career during 26/11 and the Adarsh Scam and his subsequent move to Delhi as a Union minister greatly reduced his involvement in the city.

... contd.

ALSO READ

In a first, BMC to survey children under 14

Teen raped at birthday party, sold to man

Alleged bomb planter Siddiqui claims ATS threatened to kill him

Cops pin hopes on CCTV footage to arrest acid attack accused