Maharashtra facing the heat of global recession: Prithviraj Chavan

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has said that industrialisation has slowed down in the state as an after-effect of global recession.

"The state too is facing the heat on this count (recession)," Chavan admitted during an informal interaction with media-persons at his residence last evening.

He said Maharashtra was doing well in the automotive industry and was facing stiff competition from states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Gurgaon (Haryana).

Chavan hoped that the Centre's new Land Acquisition law will help expedite industrial development projects.

Giving details of infrastructure projects, he said apart from mono and metro rail, there is a proposal from Planning Commission for an elevated railway in Mumbai which is under consideration of the state government since it will double the capacity of suburban railway system.

Chavan admitted that housing in Mumbai has become a complex issue following the promise of free homes by the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the past.

The chief minister said the government is working on redrafting its policy of governing renewal of lease on expiry.

He also informed that the government will soon undertake a land records survey to clear titles which will help prevent corruption to a large extent.

Chavan said 92,000 hectares land in the Zudpi jungles near Nagpur will be opened up for development.