Subhajit Roy caught up with Sachin Ahir, Minister of State for Industries, Mining, Environment & Housing and listened to the optimism of young minister. Here are some excerpts:
 
Industrial Development of Maharashtra
As far as industrial development is concern, in future there will be no grading in MIDC. We intend to promote 5 Star industries irrespective of locations. We have already started earmarking the areas. As Chakan is overloaded and over crowded; Jejhuri, Satara and some other locations near Pune are of importance. We can not expand much in Vidarbha due to transportation/communication problems except in the Power Generation sector. I feel proud to inform that MIDC has been able to implement 51 SEZ out of 157 earmarked. And that’s a kind of boost for the industrial development in Maharashtra.
 
Tiger V/S Dragon
We can not and should not compare India with China. Both are different from each other. They have their own agendas and priorities for developments, we have ours. Above all, India is a democratic country and we can not neglect ‘human heart’ at the cost of industrialization.
 
Navi Mumbai Airport Projects
We need to build an expand airport which is essential for penetrating into international market. There are problems related to environment and we can not overlook it. But at the same time, we are optimistic about coming-up with an exact policy for this within this year.