Maharashtra’s Fisheries and Ports department has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Tuesday asking for the handover and share in the earnings from hoardings and other activities on lands belonging to Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) used for the construction of the coastal road project.
“The MMB gave NOC in May 2016 to the BMC for the use of its land for the coastal road construction. Entire stretch of land beyond CRZ from Raj Bhavan to Dahanu belongs to the MMB. After the completion of the coastal road project, various land parcels have been developed through sea reclamation. The MMB should get those lands transferred to it which can be used for various commercial means such as hoardings or events and it will create revenue for the MMB,” said State Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane.
According to Rane, the total potential of revenue from this stands at Rs 2,000 crore. “We merely gave NOC for the use of our land, but did not finalise the agreement for return of the land. Other departments, when give lands for different uses, get financial benefits. The fisheries and ports department should also get the revenue share,” he said.
Rane wrote a letter seeking the same to BMC municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Tuesday. Rane said that various land parcels belonging to MMB are being used by other agencies without adequate financial compensation.
“We are bringing our own hoarding policy, which will help us monetise our lands,” said Rane. He said that the department is mulling over increasing rents of MMB lands in the western suburbs of Mumbai used for film shootings as well.
Aiming top 5
In a bid to take Maharashtra from its current number 17 in freshwater fishing to the top five in the country, the state government has lifted the stay on competition in appointing contractors for fishing in lakes with size above 50 hectare.