Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that a ring road is being proposed to connect the upcoming Navi Mumbai international airport to Kalamboli, Taloja, Dombivli, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Thane. He stated that this measure is aimed at ensuring faster travel, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will be tasked with preparing a detailed project report.
During his tour across Kalyan, Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar, Shinde inaugurated various projects, including a 25-acre public park on the Waldhuni riverfront, a six-storey parking facility in Kalyan, and a 190-bed super specialty hospital in Ulhasnagar.
Interestingly, six out of the total projects launched are in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, represented by the Chief Minister's son, Shrikant Shinde. Shinde's visit follows an incident at the Ulhasnagar police station ten days ago, where BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad fired at former corporator Mahesh Gaikwad, a close aide of Shrikant. Subsequently, Ganpat Gaikwad made several allegations against Shinde in a telephonic interview to a Marathi news channel.
Regarding the super specialty hospital constructed by the Ulhasnagar municipal corporation, the Chief Minister remarked, "The super specialty hospital is the need of the hour, and this will be the second such facility after the one in Thane. It will provide cashless services too. Soon, we are going to inaugurate one in Mira Bhayander."
He also mentioned that the Asian Development Bank had provided financial assistance of Rs 40 billion to strengthen healthcare services in the state.
The public park in Kalyan West, constructed by Smart Kalyan Dombivli Development Corporation (SKDCL) at a cost of Rs 690.66 billion under the Central government's Smart City scheme, is larger than the 20-acre Grant Central Park inaugurated by Shinde in Thane's Kolshet. It is believed to be the largest public park in Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister inaugurated a multi-level parking facility spread over 85,000 square feet, built by SKDCL, with a capacity to accommodate 1,210 two-wheelers and 34 four-wheelers as per unified DCPR rules. The approved cost for the project is Rs 5.06 billion.
Later, at Acharya Atre Rang Mandir auditorium in Kalyan, the Chief Minister handed keys to tenements built under the Basic Services to Urban Poor scheme, digitally flagged off nine electric buses, and opened a new fire brigade office at Aadharwadi in Kalyan. He also digitally performed the bhumipujan for a water purification centre at Gauripada.
Earlier in the day, Shinde held a meeting at Sahyadri guest house, where he listened to the grievances of villagers affected by Vadhavan Port. Villagers complained that during the environmental hearing, authorities did not provide explanations and clarifications on their objections. They also mentioned that the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority lacks representation from the fishing community.
While instructing the administration to address these concerns, Shinde expressed that the port project would be a game-changer for the development of the area and the state. He urged the villagers not to oppose the project merely for the sake of opposition and assured them that the state government would look after their interests.
