BMC polls in Mumbai: Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena pitches rehab housing for Maharashtrian clusters as key poll plank; manifesto unveiling today | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde is trumpeting a cluster redevelopment policy aimed at rehabilitating 17 large slum pockets in Mumbai—areas which the party says are predominantly Maharashtrian settlements.Buttressing the argument that the civic body must be run by parties governing the state, the Sena has made housing revamp its main poll plank in the civic elections. “Because we control urban development, it will be easier for us to get this implemented. This is the main thrust of our BMC manifesto which will be unveiled on Saturday,” said the party’s ex-MP Rahul Shewale, speaking to TOI. The Sena hopes to counter Sena (UBT)-MNS’s attempts at appealing to Marathi manoos by focusing on basic housing rights. At the heart of the outreach is implementation of the 2034 Development Plan through a cluster-based approach, with Ramabai Nagar cited as a template. “The model for this whole plan is the Ramabai Nagar project, where they have moved out 4,000 people and given rent to them,” Shewale said, referring to transit accommodation and rental support provided in redevelopment.Shewale said 17 clusters, each around 15 hectares, will be developed on the lines of the Ramabai Nagar model. “Instead of isolated vertical slum buildings, we will create township-like neighbourhoods with housing, parking, open spaces, healthcare, schools and commercial zones,” he said.He also said seven additional clusters are planned in Prabhadevi and Dadar, including the Khandke building precinct—an area of symbolic importance. “This is where Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray groomed the Shiv Sena in its initial days,” Shewale said.Shewale said Sena will also focus on economic empowerment of Marathi entrepreneurs. As a tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary on Jan 23, the party plans to partner with emerging entrepreneurs by offering seed capital. “Many Marathi entrepreneurs have ideas and skills but lack seed capital. Govt-backed seed funds, credit guarantees and partnership models will be created,” he said.“Economic empowerment of Marathis is central to preserving Mumbai’s character,” Shewale said, arguing that rising real estate prices over the past decade have pushed original residents out of the city. He said special provisions for pagdi tenants—long a contentious housing issue—are also being considered.Shewale pointed out that Mumbai’s scale requires strong state-level leadership, and that the civic body alone cannot deliver mega projects. “Mumbai’s infrastructure and housing needs cannot be addressed by the civic body alone. Coordination between the state and Centre is critical,” he said, adding that key clearances ultimately rest with the chief minister.On the economy, Shewale said Mumbai must develop IFSC and FinTech hubs to generate more employment.BOX: Utility tunnel network in the worksOne ambitious intervention, which is part of the Shiv Sena manifesto, is a Rs 50,000-crore utility tunnel network to house water pipelines, power cables, gas lines and fibre optics. “This will end repeated road digging and ensure durable roads for decades. Global cities have adopted this model and Mumbai must do the same,” said ex-MP Rahul Shewale.