Fadnavis, in Davos, says foreign private investment will help tackle environmental challenges; he said the initiative, to be led by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will be driven by private investment and aimed at tackling long-pending environmental challenges in Maharashtra’s metro cities
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis meets with Uber president and COO Andrew Macdonald, in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. PIC/PTI
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured cleaner air and safer water for Mumbai and other major cities such as Nagpur and Pune, saying the state (Maharashtra) will push a circular economy model that focuses on minimum waste and maximum reuse.
Speaking from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Fadnavis said the initiative, to be led by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be driven by private investment and aimed at tackling long-pending environmental challenges in Maharashtra’s metro cities.
In an interaction with media via a Zoom meeting from Davos, the chief minister said setting timelines for Mumbai’s environmental clean-up is challenging, as the issue is complex and there are no overnight solutions. Fadnavis said problems such as air and water pollution cannot be resolved in a year or two.
“In Davos, we are pushing for the circular economy. Foreign companies have even shown willingness to be part of this mission. Visible improvement will be seen over the next three to four years, and the relief will come gradually. However, in around five to seven years, the city will witness a truly sustainable environment,” Fadnavis told mid-day.
Mumbai has been witnessing “poor” to “severe” air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently slipping into the “poor”, “very poor” and even “severe” zones. The worsening air has resulted in thick smog, reduced visibility, and rising health complaints, including breathing difficulties and eye irritation, especially among children and the elderly.
Fadnavis claimed that this experiment of roping in foreign entities with the BMC playing the lead role in addressing air and water quality control is a gift to Mumbai from Davos. “The circular economy model will be taken to other big cities like Pune, and Nagpur, too,” Fadnavis claimed.
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties are slamming the CM and his government over the investment deals signed in Davos. Opposition parties are taking a swipe at Fadnavis for signing global deals with Indian firms in Davos.
Replying to those allegations, Fadnavis said, “Signing deals at the WEF is a message to all investor communities across the world. Those who do not understand this are making a noise. Some understand this, but are deliberately still levelling allegations merely with the intention of opposing this.”
Pen in Raigad to get its own ‘BKC’
Like Mumbai’s business hub Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Pen in Raigad will have similar business and commercial hubs. “We aim to develop many such business districts and hubs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other parts of the state,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
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