Panvel set to have better facilities

Panvel to be first municipal corporation in Raigad; residents asked for suggestions, objections

The first municipal council in state, Panvel, is now all set to become the first municipal corporation in Raigad district.

The new municipal corporation will include 68 villages, apart from Panvel city.

The notification issued by the state government on Monday has ended the wait for years with the region’s development expected to get a major boost.

The British had during preindependence era prepared the Municipal Council Act for development purposes. Following demand by the locals for a council, Panvel Municipal Council was formed in 1852 making it the first in the state.

In recent times, with the state government developing Navi Mumbai as an alternative to Mumbai, the urbanisation of the rural areas of Panvel picked up.

However, the areas continued to have gram panchayats.

The planning agencies in these areas are Cidco, gram panchayat, zilla parishad and municipal council.

Owing to the presence of four planning authorities, the development of the region was not coordinated and planned.

Hence for the past few years, a demand had been made by local residents and politicians for the formation of a municipal corporation that will include the council and the rural areas that have developed.

The government resolution on May 16 has put the issue on track. The notification states that the proposed Panvel municipal

corporation will have, along with Panvel city, 68 villages of Panvel taluka.

Residents have been given a month’s time to submit their suggestions and objections to the Raigad collector. After the hearing on the suggestions and objections, further action will

be taken for establishing the municipal corporation.

Navi Mumbai was the first city that transformed directly from gram panchayat to a municipal corporation. It helped the region develop at a fast pace. Panvel taluka was, however, left behind in this progress.

PMC president Charusheela Gharat said, “In the taluka, Panvel municipal council was responsible for development work in the city area.”

“The remaining 68 villages were administered by the gram panchayats. School and health issues were taken care of by zilla parishad. Kharghar, Taloja, Kalamboli, Kamothe and New Panvel nodes were under Cidco jurisdiction. Each body planned development on its own in its area of jurisdiction preventing any comprehensive planning in the taluka,” she added.

Gharat said, “There are no good gardens for the residents in Panvel taluka. There are also issues with services from government hospitals, public transportation, markets and other basic services.”

“Sewage lines have been laid in Cidco and municipal council areas. However, sewage water is a major problem in villages, where there is no such infrastructure. Lack of integrated planning has led to water supply issues as well,” she added.

Gharat said, “With the government deciding on the formation of the corporation, years of demand of the people will be fulfilled and the region’s development process will receive a boost.”

THE BRITISH HAD DURING PRE-INDEPENDENCE ERA PREPARED THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ACT FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES

HT FILE PHOTO Panvel lacks infrastructure and basic facilities. With the formation of a municipal corporation, residents hope they will have a better life.