‘MMR population is set to stabilise’

His findings are part of an ongoing study on the “growth,equity and vulnerability” in the MMR. “The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is trying to work out a human development index (HDI) report for the region as part of its planning strategy for the MMR. For this,they have assigned various aspects to experts. My base paper is a part of the project,” he said. The All India Institute of Local Self Government has identified the experts along with the MMRDA for the project.

Pethe’s study is looking at issues like poverty levels,drivers of economy,employment scenario and women and health aspects among others. The base paper is expected to be ready within a month.

“The HDI for the MMR region is better than all other parts of Maharashtra. In education,connectivity,health and other profiles,MMR emerges better than most places in Maharashtra. The region serves as an aspirational role model. The MMR actually contributes to 30 per cent growth in Maharashtra and this in turn,is creating an imbalance,” he said.

Ironically,all these factors coupled with increase in urbanisation,said Pethe,are creating problems of vulnerability. The assessment shows it is leading to massive housing problems and livelihood issues. “Real estate prices are very high,making housing and shelter out of reach for many,” he said.

The assessment further shows that vulnerability and livelihood issues are arising out of informalisation of labour. It indicates that 80 per cent of the total production in the MMR are services-driven,a sector which is increasingly being informalised and not all services are high-end.

The findings also show that while local governments are not as strong as they should be,overlapping jurisdiction is leading to non-cooperation and inefficiency in key areas like transportation.