Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra elections 2024, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that there will be no Mahayuti after November 23 and added that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will form the government in Maharashtra, reported news agency ANI. Raut also asserted that the MVA alliance is strong and united in the state. Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "The people of Maharashtra do not trust the Prime Minister's statement. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi. We three are together. We are one and we are safer in Maharashtra than you. And the second thing is that the people will decide whose remote control is in whose hands. You may have the remote control of the Shiv Sena you have made after dividing the party, but we refrained from giving our (Shiv Sena UBT) remote control to you and that's why you are irked with us. We are 'swabhimani' and hence won't fall for your tricks. I have said earlier also that after November 23, there will be no Mahayuti because there will be no CM. They will not make Eknath Shinde the CM or LoP. They will not get the majority. We are forming the government...," reported ANI. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused the party of "looting" the poor in the name of poverty elimination. Addressing a public rally at Panvel in Maharashtra, PM Modi said, "Congress always worked on the agenda of keeping the poor, poor. Generation by generation, they have given the false slogan of 'gareebi hatao'. Congress looted the poor in the name of poverty elimination," reported ANI. Meanwhile, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that in his 53 years of experience in politics, he never witnessed the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister campaigning in every segment in the state assembly elections. "I have 53 years of experience (in politics), and I have contested 13 elections and won all of them except one in 2019. Following this, I became a member of the Rajya Sabha and became the Leader of Opposition there. Given the assembly elections of Maharashtra, big leaders of the BJP including the PM, Union Home Minister, and CMs of BJP-ruled states are campaigning in Maharashtra. I have never seen the Prime Minister or Union Home Minister campaigning in every segment in the state assembly elections," Kharge said addressing a press conference in Pune, reported ANI. The Maharashtra elections 2024 will be held in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count happening on November 23. Campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. (With inputs from ANI)
15 November,2024 12:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the upcoming Maharashtra elections 2024, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar slammed the ruling government Mahayuti, saying that the present government in the state has worsened the situation for farmers and several farmers have committed suicide, reported news agency ANI. Addressing a public rally, Sharad Pawar said, "In Maharashtra, NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) decided to go in the election together... Earlier, during the last Lok Sabha elections in 2019, Congress had only one seat and we had three, but this time we got 30 seats because we fought together...The present government has worsened the situation for farmers in Maharashtra...during the last six months, several farmers committed suicide...," reported ANI. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused the party of "looting" the poor in the name of poverty elimination. Addressing a public rally at Panvel in Maharashtra, PM Modi said, "Congress always worked on the agenda of keeping the poor, poor. Generation by generation, they have given the false slogan of 'gareebi hatao'. Congress looted the poor in the name of poverty elimination," reported ANI. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that in his 53 years of experience in politics, he never witnessed the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister campaigning in every segment of the state assembly elections. "I have 53 years of experience (in politics), and I have contested 13 elections and won all of them except one in 2019. Following this, I became a member of the Rajya Sabha and became the Leader of Opposition there. Given the assembly elections of Maharashtra, big leaders of the BJP including the PM, Union Home Minister, and CMs of BJP-ruled states are campaigning in Maharashtra. I have never seen the Prime Minister or Union Home Minister campaigning in every segment in the state assembly elections," Kharge said addressing a press conference in Pune, reported ANI. The Maharashtra elections 2024 will be held in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count happening on November 23. Campaigning has intensified for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) making efforts to woo the electorate. (With inputs from ANI)
15 November,2024 11:59 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Borivli Assembly constituency has long been a BJP stronghold, even during times when Congress held power at the state and Centre. This dominance has been broken only twice when Sanjay Nirupam and Govinda each won a Lok Sabha seat once. Since 1980, the BJP has never lost the Vidhan Sabha election in this constituency. In this election, there was a brief issue with the candidacy of BJP’s Sanjay Upadhyay, as former MP and MLA Gopal Shetty rebelled against the party. However, central and state leadership successfully diffused the crisis. It will be interesting to see how Sanjay Upadhyay performs in a seat expected to yield one of the highest lead margins in the Maharashtra Assembly election. Sanjay Upadhyay's main opponent in the Borivli constituency is Sanjay Bhosle, a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate. Key issues in the constituency include less to no space for walking and issues related to hawkers; lack of open spaces; illegal hawkers; rampant redevelopment and inadequate public transport. Sanjay Upadhyay, BJP What is your plan to curb the hawker menace?This issue is not restricted to just Borivli but, the entire city. I plan to curb it by working with the local authorities. The menace is because of the presence of Rohingya and illegal Bangladeshis in the locality, which I plan to uproot. How will you tackle last-mile connectivity and citizen safety?BEST routes are overcrowded. An individual commuting to work from the extreme edge of Gorai to the railway station cannot afford an auto every day. I plan on increasing BEST frequency and also increasing the number of buses on these routes to make the commute affordable. There are also plans to increase the number of trains originating from Borivli by 150 more journeys in the coming two years. What are your plans for tackling bad quality roads and pollution?We are planning to increase the per-person tree ratio in the locality. I am planning to work with the RTO and traffic division to implement prepaid parking facilities in the constituency so that the general population does not get robbed by the post-paid parking operators. How do you plan to address redevelopment, water and healthcare issues?There is a huge issue of water loss in the BMC water supply. According to me, multiple roads in the city are being concretised and during this process, some water pipelines are getting damaged causing an increase in water loss. Speaking of healthcare facilities, there are no major hospitals between Vapi and Andheri causing many to rush either to Cooper or Kokilaben hospital. Our Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal has started the construction of two hospitals in Borivali and those will be fully operational soon. What are your thoughts on SRA schemes?SRA and MHADA schemes help in the creation of reasonably affordable housing for the middle-class population. If there is a scope for the rich people to live in Mumbai, there should be a scope for everyone to live here. In fact, the household help working here have to travel from Vasai Virar just for work. BMC has also passed a proposal for affordable housing for such household workers. Sanjay Bhosle, Shiv Sena (UBT) How do you plan to curb the hawker menace?Speaking of Borivli station, the location has always been a crowded place. We plan to create dedicated hawking zones to make sure that the roads remain hawker-free. Also, action against illegal hawkers is required and a major penalty needs to be imposed on those hawking illegally. How will you tackle last-mile connectivity issues and citizen safety?Being a local, I have faced issues sometimes while commuting from the station to Gorai. The BEST frequency at night is reduced. Speaking of citizen safety, there are multiple CCTVs at various locations but some of these are non-functional. We plan on getting these in working condition. What are your plans on increasing green cover, tackling bad roads, and pollution?I propose building a western freeway just like the eastern freeway to reduce the load on SV Road and WEH. Also, the Coastal Road will be operational in the near future which will reduce the load on the existing roadways. Apart from this, the commencement of BMC elections for corporators remains another top priority so that the local issues can be solved at the ward level. How do you plan to address redevelopment, water and healthcare issues?We plan to restart the maternity hospitals in the locality to cater to the general masses. What are your thoughts on SRA schemes?I strongly oppose the SRA scheme or any extension to the capping of the SRA schemes.
15 November,2024 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariManoj Jamsutkar, Shiv Sena (UBT) Do you have any solution to the area’s water problems?The Mazgaon water reservoir is in a dilapidated condition, so Mazagaon and Byculla get water through direct pumping. Even the water lines are age-old and corroded, which leads to contamination and pressure issues. After getting elected, my first preference will be to change these lines. How will you address the last-mile connectivity issue?BEST buses are the backbone of Mumbai’s public transport system. We always ensure there are enough bus services as per local demand. After receiving requests from residents, we followed up with the BEST and added a few more stops to benefit senior citizens and schoolchildren. Redevelopment isn’t happening as quickly as resident expect...Byculla has buildings that are as old as 120 years. The issue is not just about dilapidated structures. Water supply, parking and lack of other civic amenities are also problems. There should be a state government policy to redevelop these buildings, which is practical and can be implemented. What solutions do you propose for the local pollution problem?Firewood is used on a large scale by bakeries in the area, which leads to air pollution. Instead, if the government provides gas or electricity-based machinery on subsidy, the issue will be solved. Though there are rules and regulations to curb pollution at construction sites, private builders do not follow them. The BMC has to take strict action against these developers.
15 November,2024 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleYamini Jadhav, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) How will you tackle the area’s water woes if re-elected?Water supply is an issue for the entire city. We tried hard to stop corruption in the supply of water in a few parts of Mazgaon. We will solve the issue as and when it arises. Parking is a huge menace here. What can be done to solve this?Pedestrians can walk freely on footpaths in our area. We beautify walls and put plants on them. There isn’t any encroachment. Despite repeated follow-ups, the authorities still haven’t come up with a policy for hawkers since 2016. This is a major hurdle. There isn’t a major parking issue in our area but if residents come with any problem regarding this, we will take it up. Redevelopment is also a major concern here...I took the initiative to repair many old buildings in the vicinity as the area has many old structures. But the issue cannot be resolved just by repairing; a complete redevelopment package is necessary. The state government recently instructed its authorities to approve proposals for self-development within three months. But I did not get enough time to implement it. I will do it in my next term. What is your roadmap for the next five years?I haven’t published a manifesto. People approaching us with their issues is our manifesto and solving them is our roadmap for a better future.
15 November,2024 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleDelayed redevelopment, inadequate water supply, narrow roads and the hawker menace are some of the issues Byculla residents have been facing for the past few decades. Famous for its Khada Parsi statue, old-world charm, iconic botanical garden and zoo and wholesale vegetable market, the populous Assembly seat, which never repeated an MLA in the past three elections, is witnessing an interesting fight between the rival Shiv Senas as well as the AIMIM. “The hawker menace is affecting traffic and pedestrian movement. On the other hand, hawkers have their own issues. Though these are somewhat managed locally by setting timings for hawking, we need a permanent solution,” said Nadeem Husain. Kiran Zodge, former chairman of Byculla vegetable market, said, the area where a flyover has been constructed in front of the zoo has become an accident spot. School children, senior citizens and thousands of people visiting the zoo and market have trouble crossing the road. A bottleneck has been created in front of the railway station. This issue needs to be solved.” “Every election had different equations. In earlier polls, candidates won due to the division of votes between two or more parties; this time, this may not be the case. I have been consistently holding rallies in the constituency and getting tremendous support from voters. Also, Congress, NCP-SP and AAP are with us, so I don’t think there will be any division of votes and voters will choose the Sena (UBT) this time,” said Manoj Jamsutkar. Yamini Jadhav said, “I haven’t checked who else is contesting and I am not interested either. My husband, Yashwant Jadhav, and I have changed the face of Byculla by undertaking various initiatives. When I make rounds in my constituency with my hands folded, I am not required to introduce myself to people. That is my asset and I am banking on it.” Votes secured in previous elections 2019 Yamini Jadhav (Shiv Sena)51,180 votes Waris Pathan (AIMIM)31,157 votes Anna Madhu Chavan (Congress)24,139 votes Geeta Gawli (ABS)10,493 votes 2014 Waris Pathan (AIMIM)25,314 votes Madhu Chavan (BJP)23,957 votes Madhukar Chavan (Congress)22,021 votes Geeta Gawali (ABS)20,895 votes Sanjay Naik (MNS)19,762 votes
15 November,2024 10:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleSanjay Upadhyay, BJP What is your plan to curb the hawker menace?This issue is not restricted to just Borivli but, the entire city. I plan to curb it by working with the local authorities. The menace is because of the presence of Rohingya and illegal Bangladeshis in the locality, which I plan to uproot. How will you tackle last-mile connectivity and citizen safety?BEST routes are overcrowded. An individual commuting to work from the extreme edge of Gorai to the railway station cannot afford an auto every day. I plan on increasing BEST frequency and also increasing the number of buses on these routes to make the commute affordable. There are also plans to increase the number of trains originating from Borivli by 150 more journeys in the coming two years. What are your plans for tackling bad quality roads and pollution?We are planning to increase the per-person tree ratio in the locality. I am planning to work with the RTO and traffic division to implement prepaid parking facilities in the constituency so that the general population does not get robbed by the post-paid parking operators. How do you plan to address redevelopment, water and healthcare issues?There is a huge issue of water loss in the BMC water supply. According to me, multiple roads in the city are being concretised and during this process, some water pipelines are getting damaged causing an increase in water loss. Speaking of healthcare facilities, there are no major hospitals between Vapi and Andheri causing many to rush either to Cooper or Kokilaben hospital. Our Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal has started the construction of two hospitals in Borivali and those will be fully operational soon. What are your thoughts on SRA schemes?SRA and MHADA schemes help in the creation of reasonably affordable housing for the middle-class population. If there is a scope for the rich people to live in Mumbai, there should be a scope for everyone to live here. In fact, the household help working here have to travel from Vasai Virar just for work. BMC has also passed a proposal for affordable housing for such household workers.
15 November,2024 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariSanjay Bhosle, Shiv Sena (UBT) How do you plan to curb the hawker menace?Speaking of Borivli station, the location has always been a crowded place. We plan to create dedicated hawking zones to make sure that the roads remain hawker-free. Also, action against illegal hawkers is required and a major penalty needs to be imposed on those hawking illegally. How will you tackle last-mile connectivity issues and citizen safety?Being a local, I have faced issues sometimes while commuting from the station to Gorai. The BEST frequency at night is reduced. Speaking of citizen safety, there are multiple CCTVs at various locations but some of these are non-functional. We plan on getting these in working condition. What are your plans on increasing green cover, tackling bad roads, and pollution?I propose building a western freeway just like the eastern freeway to reduce the load on SV Road and WEH. Also, the Coastal Road will be operational in the near future which will reduce the load on the existing roadways. Apart from this, the commencement of BMC elections for corporators remains another top priority so that the local issues can be solved at the ward level. How do you plan to address redevelopment, water and healthcare issues?We plan to restart the maternity hospitals in the locality to cater to the general masses. What are your thoughts on SRA schemes?I strongly oppose the SRA scheme or any extension to the capping of the SRA schemes.
15 November,2024 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariMumbai, a city where heritage and modern development constantly intersect, is facing yet another collision between the past and the future. The historic Kalaram Mandir in Girgaon, renowned for its deep cultural significance, has reportedly suffered structural cracks, allegedly due to the ongoing Metro 3 construction work nearby. This temple, a revered place for thousands of worshippers and a symbol of Mumbai’s rich history is now at risk, sparking concern among locals, devotees, and heritage conservationists. A glance at Kalaram Mandir’s heritage The Kalaram Mandir, established over a century ago, stands as one of Mumbai’s treasured heritage sites. Dedicated to Lord Ram, the temple is known for its unique black stone idol, from which it derives its name “Kalaram” (Kala meaning “black” and Ram for Lord Ram). This architectural marvel has been a pillar of devotion for Mumbaikars and attracts numerous visitors, particularly during Ram Navami and other Hindu festivals. The impact of Metro 3 The Mumbai Metro 3 project, intended to alleviate the city’s congestion woes, has already stirred controversies. While the project promises significant advancements in Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, it has inadvertently placed several historical buildings at risk due to the vibrations and groundwork necessary for tunnel boring. The case of Kalaram Mandir is an example of the unintended consequences of large-scale urban projects on the city’s architectural legacy. Cracks inside and outside of the temple Sameer Ranjit, a trustee of the temple, stated, "We noticed the cracks on October 29 and placed white tapes on them to monitor any changes. We then contacted MMRC authorities immediately, as Metro 3 construction is ongoing behind the temple. However, we are unsure of the exact cause of the cracks." "The following day, MMRC officials visited the temple to inspect the cracks," he said. "As a precaution, they installed devices to monitor the cracks and added cement beneath the temple to stabilize the structure. This was done by drilling a few holes behind the building to inject the cement." He added, "We trust that the MMRC will take steps to address the cracks fully, ensuring the structure remains unaffected in the future." What do officials have to say? MMRC officials stated that the cracks are not dangerous, and the structure remains stable. They plan to proceed with repair work after receiving the structural audit report. “We are nearly finished monitoring the cracks that appeared at the temple. In the next few days, we expect to receive our structural audit report, after which we will proceed with the repairs as recommended by the auditor,” an MMRC official said. When asked about the cause of the cracks, the MMRC official explained, “The temple is built on sandy soil. The back of the temple is constructed entirely of stone, while the front portion is made of wood. This combination led to the development of cracks. However, these cracks are not dangerous, and the structure remains stable.” Voices from the community As news of the damage to Kalaram Mandir broke, locals and temple authorities voiced their concerns, calling for immediate action. “We understand the importance of Metro 3, but the value of heritage cannot be measured merely in economic terms,” says Yatin M, a resident and long-time devotee at Kalaram Mandir. “These cracks are not just on the walls of a building; they are cracks in the spirit of our community.” The temple’s priest also expressed concerns, remarking, “Recently we also noticed that some of the marble flooring was cracked and became uneven. We have seen this temple stand through generations, through storms and sunshine. If the cracks deepen, we risk losing a part of our collective history.” The broader debate: Development vs. Heritage This incident adds to a growing conversation about how best to balance Mumbai’s modern infrastructure needs with its heritage preservation responsibilities. Mumbai, a city known for its rich cultural mosaic, faces mounting pressure to expand and modernise, but the cost of this development often appears to be paid by the city’s historic landmarks. “Development is essential, but not at the cost of erasing our past,” said Ramesh Kadam, a 70-year-old Girgaon resident. “Mumbai’s essence lies in its heritage. There should be stronger regulations and more thorough risk assessments in place before any construction near heritage sites begins.” A call to action For many Mumbaikars, the recent events at Kalaram Mandir underscore the need for a new approach to city planning, one that harmonises development with the preservation of cultural heritage. Locals have urged the government to implement better safeguards for all heritage structures in proximity to urban projects.
15 November,2024 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarOn Friday, Mumbaikars experienced cooler weather and hazy skies. However, the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated a slight increase in temperatures. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 degrees Celcius. The Met Department data showed that the Colaba observatory recorded a temperature of 35.2 degrees. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the IMD, the maximum temperature will likely be around 36 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 23 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 89 per cent. The sun rose at 06:46 AM and will set at 06:00 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts "fog/mist in the morning and partly cloudy skies later" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On November 15, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 136 at 9:05 AM. Many areas across Mumbai—per the SAMEER app dashboard—showed 'moderate' AQI. Kandivali's and Bandra Kurla Complex's AQI recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 171 and 168, respectively. Colaba, Chembur and Ghatkopar recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 112, 119 and 184. Meanwhile, Borivali East and Bhandup West recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 79 and 80, respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 127, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 130. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
15 November,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTaking suo motu cognisance of a mid-day report highlighting how BEST bus routes had to be shifted owing to hawkers taking over a lane opposite Borivli railway station, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has issued summons to the Mumbai police commissioner, additional commissioner (transport department) and the BEST general manager. A division bench headed by Justice K K Tated, chairperson of the commission, and panel member M A Sayeed came down heavily on the civic administration for allowing the encroachment to go unchecked. The notice issued by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission to the authorities reads, “Whereas commission has taken suo-motu cognisance in respect to news in English newspaper mid-day, regarding ‘The Borivli hawkers’ ‘market’ has killed several BEST services’ against you for having failed to take necessary action in respect to its grievance, you are hereby summoned to appear before the commission. You are further directed to submit your response in writing with relevant documents upon which you intend to rely in respect to your defence.” Bhaji Market Gully, in Borivli West which has been taken over by hawkers. Pic/Anurag Ahire This newspaper highlighted how the illegal occupation of the Bhaji Market Gully by vegetable and fruit vendors along with other hawkers had made the entire stretch completely inaccessible to the public. The report also highlighted how the occupation of the gully had prompted BEST to divert three routes to Chandavarkar Road. The bench also pointed out that the photographs accompanying the news report also “exhibit that the entire road is encroached by vendors”. The notice also read, “It is very difficult to understand whether the corporation constructed the said road for vendors only or the public at large, including transport vehicles. [This has] constrained BEST to divert their services. This is nothing but a violation of the human rights of people living in the area.” Taking note of the assistant municipal commissioner of R Central ward’s statement that it was not possible for the civic body to clear the encroachment for want of manpower, the bench observed, “It is very difficult to understand how the corporation can make such statements to the public at large. In any case, it is their duty not to allow the encroachment of public roads.” The commission stated, “Considering this fact, the commission decided to take up this issue by way of the present suo motu case under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Hence, the following order is passed: The office is directed to issue summons to the commissioner of police, Mumbai; general manager, BEST; and additional commissioner, transport department, Mumbai, calling upon them to hold a fact-finding enquiry and file an affidavit in reply, including the following information: 1) Whether the said SV Road is constructed only for hawkers or the general public and transportation also? ii) Why did the authorities fail and neglect to take action to clear the said road? iii) Is it correct that BEST routes 244, 246 and 277 were disturbed due to hawkers? iv) What is the respondents’ road map to clear the said road, so that it can be used by the public at large?” mid-day tried contacting Mumbai Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar, the BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar, BEST PRO Sudas Sawant and Mumbai Police PRO DCP Akbar Pathan via phone and messages but did not receive responses by press time. Meanwhile, Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic), told the reporter that he was occupied with bandobast duty related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally.
15 November,2024 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariADVERTISEMENT
