Panvel Rural Area Revamp: 29 Villages Set For Major Civic Upgrades; Details Inside

Panvel's rural landscape is set for a major transformation, as the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) unveils its revised draft Development Plan (DP), allocating Rs 7,358 crore over the next 20 years to enhance civic infrastructure, according to Hindustan Times.

This ambitious plan aims to directly benefit over 12.05 lakh residents across 29 villages, covering 60.78 square kilometres of the corporation's total 110.06 square kilometre jurisdiction.

The development blueprint has earmarked 629 plots, distributed across five regional plans, specifically for this purpose. Notably, the areas of Kharghar node, Kharghar, Owe, Taloje Pachnand, Pendhar, Navde, and MIDC are excluded from the targeted development as the focus remains on uplifting the 29 selected villages through mega projects such as airports, metro lines, the Virar-Alibaug corridor, and the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).

Among the proposed developments are extensive road networks for each village and the establishment of 42 schools within a one-kilometre radius of every village. In addition, a science and exhibition centre spanning 15 acres is planned for New Panvel, alongside playgrounds and gardens in 145 locations.

The DP also outlines the creation of 47 medical facilities, a 62-acre solid waste management project in the Ghot Chal area, and five new fire stations. Further, community centres, marketplaces, social utility and public services, crematoriums, and graveyards are also included in the development agenda.

Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale emphasised in Hindustan Times the strategic focus on areas that have historically lacked development. "Seventy per cent of the PMC area comprises nodal areas that CIDCO has already developed. Our focus is now on the former council and village areas that are newly incorporated into the corporation," said Chitale.

"The DP is designed to stimulate growth in rural areas. We will appoint a coordinator to engage with villagers, considering their suggestions and objections. Our goal is to ensure that these areas reap the benefits of the broader regional development brought by the mega projects," he added.

The revised DP represents a significant step towards bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas in Panvel, promising enhanced infrastructure and a better quality of life for the residents of these 29 villages.