Aarey Colony revamp on the cards

MUMBAI: The state government on Friday announced to form a high-level committee for development of Aarey Milk Colony.

State revenue and dairy development minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil told the assembly that the government is in the process of appointing a consultant who will suggest different plans for inclusive development of the colony and the high-level committee will finalise a plan.

Patil also said that the government wants to monetise the land parcels at Aarey Colony and Worli by way of commercial development.

The announcement was made in the assembly after legislators said that the Aarey Colony has been overlooked by successive governments. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Ravindra Waikar raised the issue of bad internal roads, and said that handing over of the government hospital to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been pending for years. Apart from this, the tourist spots also require urgent revamp.

Vikhe Patil said that the Aarey

Colony is facing several issues largely because of the restrictions imposed as it comes under eco-sensitive zone. “A high-level committee will be set up which will finalise a plan for its development. We are inviting consultants to advise us and suggest a set of plans for the same.

He said that the committee will be headed by him and the ministers from tourism and forest departments would be its members apart from BJP MLA Sunil Rane. He said, “We want to monetise the lands of the dairy development department situated at Aarey and Worli.”