Government to build 'smart villages' for flood-hit

Mumbai: People living near the riverbanks at two of the flood – affected villages — Bramhanal in Sangli and Humalwadi in Kolhapur — will be evacuated and rehabilitated in new ‘smart villages’ in nearby areas. The Maharashtra Housing Development Corporation (Maha Housing) will implement the scheme.

Officials from the Maha housing on Wednesday informed that the land acquisition is being carried out for Bramhnal and 225 families from the village will be rehabilitated at Nagao, which is 5km away.

The villagers of Humalwadi in Kolhapur will be rehabilitated at nearby Jainapur.

“Smart villages will be developed on the lines of smart cities. They will have concrete roads, well-planned housing colonies, open public spaces and other civic amenities. The work will be completed within nine months from the date of its commencement,” the official said.

Rajendra Mirgane, joint president of Maha Housing said, “Land acquisition for the proposed smart village at Nagao has been completed. The land acquisition of Jainapur village is underway.”

In the latest meeting of the Maha housing, it was decided that trees will be planted at Bramhnal and Humalwadi villages.

“In order to avoid soil erosion and encroachment, the government will plant bamboo trees on the vacated land,” said Mr Mirgane.

A desk officer from Mantralaya informed that the funds will be raised under the CSR for rehabilitation of flood-affected villages.

“Many industrialists have come forward to give financial support. The zilla parishad will have to share the expenditure. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is also funding the rehabilitation work,” he said.