Soon after taking the charge as Vice Chairman & Managing Director of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) on 19th August, 2020 amidst Covid-19, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee came up with many initiatives for the all-round development of the areas that come under CIDCO jurisdiction.
How are you ensuring that Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) despite the hurdles like the naming row, Covid-19 crisis and PAPs opposition, gets operational as scheduled?
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to be operational by 31st December 2024. While there are many challenges in the way of the project, the Corporation has been able to tackle them without any hesitations. It is our strong belief that we will accomplish this task. The predevelopment work of the airport has been completed, and the work of the construction of the actual structure is in full swing. The Corporation has and continues to work with the PAPs to address their concerns and issues.
What are your other major focus areas for development of Navi Mumbai?
My focus has been on the all-round development of the areas that come under CIDCO Jurisdiction, be it the Navi Mumbai Project area which extends from Airoli to JNPT, NAINA or New Towns like Palghar, Aurangabad, Nasik, etc. While projects like Navi Mumbai Metro and NMIA elevate the living standards of Navi Mumbai, our Housing Projects are amongst the largest in the world and definitely in the country.
Various other projects are likely to make metamorphic changes to the landscape of Navi Mumbai like, International Corporate Park, Aero City, etc. that will provide job opportunities within the city and attract foreign and financial investments.
CIDCO has a vision of turning Navi Mumbai into the country’s first sports city for which projects like the Centre of Excellence, expansion of the KVGC golf course, development of Rugby Stadium along with the National Rugby Association, Cricket and various other sports have been undertaken.
While many projects are focusing on fostering economic development, the Corporation has also released a housing scheme of 5,730 houses for the EWS and general category.
What are some of the recent collaborations of CIDCO?
Our biggest collaboration is with the citizenry and the industry. As we acquire the lands for development, we grant 12.5% or 22.5% land to the affected people, as well have several schemes for their rehabilitation. Thus, those who part with their land benefit from the development. Our lands are disposed off to developers in a very transparent online e- tender cum e-auction, and the developers develop homes and facilities for the citizens.
For social amenities, we collaborate with several social organisations in management of schools, colleges, community centres, etc. The very concept of our working is therefore collaboration. The NMIA is an example of collaboration with a large private sector entity to build a huge transport infrastructure, namely an airport. Similarly, now that our Water Transport Terminal is ready, we are collaborating with MMB to operationalize the waterways.
We have collaborated similarly with JNPT, MSRDC, MMRDA, MHADA and several other PSUs and Private Sector entities.
What are CIDCO initiatives for affordable housing and plans to collaborate with private builders?
That’s a part of our developmental model. On one hand, we are executing a mega housing scheme, where we shall set the benchmarks for the market, not only in terms of standards, facilities, maintenance, etc, but also in terms of price.
On the other hand, we provide encumbrance and litigation free lands with clear title and possession to the private sector through our transparent e-tender cum e-auction system, and encourage them to build more homes, and compete with the standards we have set. Our standards are amongst the finest in the country and that’s the primary reason for having such fine structures in CIDCO Jurisdiction.
Currently, we are building over a lakh affordable homes and are making it available to the citizenry scheme wise. One such scheme of 5730 homes is currently active. We also encourage private sector participation in affordable homes, and some such schemes are in the pipeline.
You are an avid sportsman. How has that translated in your vision for the city?
The values of sportsmanship and discipline allow me to discharge my duties as an IAS officer more effectively. I play golf as well, and swim a bit. Sports like soccer and golf develop the values of sportsmanship and discipline within a person. Soccer is a globally popular sport, and I am no exception to it. The values that these sports bring can ensure a bright future for the upcoming generation.
To motivate and cultivate these values, CIDCO has undertaken projects like the Centre of Excellence to promote these values in the younger generation. The current 9-hole golf course is also being expanded to an 18-hole golf course so that international tournaments can be hosted there to inspire the sporting community in the city.
How does your medical background support your administrative work?
Definitely. Being a doctor, I can understand the impacts of my decision on a personal level. When you become a doctor, you inherently attach yourself to the science and deeper workings of every human interaction. This allows me to be a better leader and maximize the efforts of my team.
I was posted as the Principal Secretary, Medical Education ad Drugs Department (MEDD) when the COVID19 pandemic began. I must admit that I had an excellent team of professionals with me during that time. I was primarily responsible for technical guidance, research, infrastructure development, provision of medical supplies and CSR mobilisation.
We compiled Seven Compendia covering all aspects of available knowledge, and the MEDD compendia were the only ones available for a long time, and was used worldwide. We were also successful in opening a COVID19 Hospital a day, a COVID 19 lab a day, becoming surplus in the production of protective equipment like masks and PPEs, conduction of 3 successful researches, etc. during the short period of the first wave, after the ebbing of which I moved out of the department.
The Commonwealth of States through its Healthcare arm, CHPACOMHAD, United Kingdom had felicitated me for my contribution during that period.
What will be your advice to the aspiring IAS officers from across the country?
No service offers a wider canvass to work towards nation building than the IAS. Where else do you get the opportunity to serve the poorest, work at the grassroots and also get to work in the corporate sphere. In case one wants to be a part of building this glorious nation which we know as Bharat or India, I think the IAS is a good choice. The service expects total commitment, so beware! Anyone not willing to give that commitment in totality has the risk of disappointment.