In a major push to address the long-standing demands of mill workers, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde instructed officials to immediately arrange a meeting with the National Textile Corporation (NTC) to speed up the process of providing housing for mill workers in Mumbai. The directive was issued during a meeting convened at Sahyadri Guest House, where a delegation of mill workers presented their concerns about housing delays and rising costs.
It was highlighted by Shinde that mill workers had played a significant role in shaping Mumbai’s industrial and economic landscape, and that their sacrifices needed to be honoured with tangible support. Housing for mill workers within Mumbai was described as a top government priority, with further emphasis placed on extending opportunities across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Officials were informed that an assessment of land available with the NTC would be carried out soon to understand how much could be allocated for mill workers' housing. It was reported that 15,870 homes had already been distributed among mill workers under existing schemes, and that nearly one lakh additional workers were eligible to receive homes in the coming phases.
Concerns raised by union representatives regarding the unaffordability of homes in regions like Shelu and Vangani were also acknowledged during the meeting. In response, it was conveyed by Shinde that discussions would be initiated with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar to explore ways of bringing down the cost of housing in those areas.
Additionally, workers were encouraged to consider housing options available within the broader MMR. It was pointed out that significant investments were being made by the government to improve infrastructure and enhance connectivity in suburban and peri-urban areas, thereby making them viable residential alternatives.
The meeting also focused on addressing the emotional concerns of workers who expressed a strong desire to reside within the city limits due to their long history and roots in Mumbai. Officials assured the delegation that while every effort would be made to secure homes within the city, parallel development in surrounding regions would provide workers with quality housing options at more affordable rates.
Through these steps, the state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that mill workers, who had once been at the heart of Mumbai’s industrial boom, would not be left behind as the city continued to modernise and expand. The move was seen as an important gesture towards fulfilling promises that had remained pending for decades.
Share
Tweet
