MMRDA and Govt of Netherlands join hands for sustainable Urban Development

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News):  In a historic move at the World Economic Forum, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of Netherlands. This momentous occasion marks a significant leap towards fostering sustainable urban development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The partnership, endorsed through a Joint Declaration, is set to bring forth advancements in integrated waste management, climate resilience, and the establishment of a circular economy.

A Vision for a Sustainable Future

Under the visionary guidance of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Urban Development Minister & Chairman of MMRDA Eknath Shinde, and the dedicated efforts of Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, this collaboration envisions a five-year commitment to transforming the MMR's landscape. The aim is to leverage Dutch expertise and financial contributions to propel the MMR into a model of effective waste management, climate resilience, and circular economy practices.

Dutch Expertise on Board

The MoU sets the stage for knowledge-sharing initiatives, focusing on collaboration with prominent Dutch companies. Companies like Sustainable Business Development (SusBDe), Harvest Waste B.V., Technimex, Hydraloop, and Deerns (Healthcare) will play pivotal roles in realizing the objectives of the agreement. Additionally, Dutch companies specializing in landfill gas extraction, such as Afvalzorg, Multriwell, Hofstetter, Indaver, and Enwell, are set to contribute their expertise.

Water processing will also be a significant facet of this collaboration, with companies like Blue Phoenix Group, Royal Haskoning DHV, Rebel Group, BrEAD B.V., Metasus, Paques, Nijhuis Industries, Econvert Water & Energy, Colsen, and Colubris Cleantech offering their knowledge to support the sustainable urban development goals of the MMR.

Transformative Environmental Projects

The MMRDA, in alignment with its commitment to environmental consciousness, is implementing projects to reshape urban infrastructure. These projects aim to address climate change, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Joint Declaration establishes a cooperative framework between MMRDA and the Government of the Netherlands, focusing on best practices in smart city master planning and integrated waste management.

A Brighter Future for MMR

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde expressed optimism, stating, “This joint declaration with the Netherlands stands as a testament to our understanding, as it will redefine our capacity to tackle a wide range of challenges that are faced in the MMR in terms of handling waste management and climate change. These progressive achievements will undoubtedly transform the MMR into a highly efficient circular economy in the near future.”

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee added, “Embracing the global best practices in integrated waste management will be a huge leap for the MMR toward sustainability, whereas becoming a circular economy and gaining resilience to climate change will safeguard the glorious future of the MMR.”

Erwin Nijsse, Director–General for Enterprise and Innovation, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Government of Netherlands, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Meaningful attempts to welcome sustainability demand collaborations between conscious entities across the globe. Our joint declaration with MMRDA is a result of the perfect alignment of our ideals with MMRDA’s commitment to the sustainable future of the MMR.”

The collaboration between MMRDA and the Government of the Netherlands is poised to illuminate the future of the MMR, setting it on the path to becoming a global exemplar of sustainable urban development.