The rush hour to board long-distance trains for Chhath Puja at Mumbai’s train termini has now become a playground for railway touts. In light of the recent stampede at Bandra Terminus, mid-day conducted a reality check on whether there was any improvement in the security system since the incident. On Wednesday, mid-day reported on the chaotic conditions at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), where commuters faced long queues and hours of waiting. Today, we bring you the other side of the story: touts fleecing commuters with promises of securing seats in the general compartment. Reporters talking to the scalpers to obtain a train ticket; Agent Jeet Singh; Man who introduced himself as manager; Agent Amjad Our investigation found that some ticket counter employees appear to be involved in a racket, bypassing queues to issue tickets to touts. These agents charge Rs 700 per passenger against the actual cost of Rs 415 for a second-class general ticket from LTT to Gorakhpur but vanish two hours before the journey. Posing as passengers, mid-day reporters attempted to board the Kushinagar Express from LTT to Gorakhpur on Friday, November 1. While standing in line to purchase tickets, a group of 5-6 touts approached them, offering confirmed seats in the second-class compartment on the Kushinagar train. One agent issued tickets within a minute at counter number 4, bypassing the queue, and assured the reporters that their colleagues would help secure seats in the general compartment. However, by 10 pm, these agents had disappeared from LTT. The reporters arrived at LTT around 9 pm on November 1, posing as passengers travelling to Gorakhpur on the Kushinagar Express, scheduled to depart at 12.35 am on November 2. Approached by touts offering confirmed seats, the following conversation ensued: Agent Amjad: Where do you want to go?Reporter: We want to go to Gorakhpur on the Kushinagar train. Agent Amjad: We can get you tickets and confirmed seats in the general compartment for Rs 700 per passenger.Reporter: How much is a single ticket?Agent Amjad: R480 per ticket. Reporter: Can we get a discount? Agent Amjad: The ticket costs R480; the ticket counter employee takes Rs 100, and we keep Rs 100-120. Reporter: We’ll pay R700, but we want assurance of getting a seat in the general compartment.Another agent, Jeet Singh, joined to convince the reportersAgent Jeet Singh: You won’t get a ticket from any counter for another two to three hours. We have connections with ticket counter staff and can get you tickets ahead of others. With these tickets, you can go to the station and stand in line.Reporter: We need assurance of a seat in the general compartment. Agent Jeet Singh: We are providing you with tickets. With these tickets, you can stand in line before other passengers, and you will easily get a seat on the train. It’s 9.15 pm; you won’t get tickets from any counter until after 10.30 pm.Agent Amjad then assured the reporters, saying, “Our person will come on platform number 2-3 around 11 PM and will help you get a seat in the general compartment.”Assured by the agents, the reporters paid Rs 2,100 for three passengers, capturing the transaction on video.The reporters observed that queues at ticket counters had more than 30-40 passengers each. Jeet Singh bypassed the queue, purchased three tickets in under a minute at counter 4, and handed them to the reporters.Agent Jeet Singh: “Here are your tickets. Go to platform 3, stand in line, and you’ll be first or second in the queue, securing a seat easily.”Upon checking the tickets, the reporters noticed the rate was Rs 415 each. When asked about the markup, the agents explained that Rs 100 went to the ticket counter employee and the remainder was their profit.Reporter: “We have the tickets, but it’s your responsibility to secure us seats in the general compartment.”Assuring the reporters, Jeet Singh gave them his mobile number to build trust.Agent Amjad: “Don’t worry. Go to platform 3. Our colleague will be there at 11 pm to help you find a seat. We can also provide AC and sleeper tickets. This is our daily work.”Several more agents appeared, asking how much Jeet Singh had charged. One of them, claiming to be the touts’ manager, inquired how much the reporters had paid, but they declined to answer.When the reporters finally reached platform 3, they encountered a crowd of thousands. They waited until midnight, but no touts arrived to help them secure seats in the general compartment. Rs 700Amount that touts charge each passenger
07 November,2024 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan | Shirish VaktaniaMaharashtra Cyber, the cyber wing of state police, has issued a notice to BookMyShow, asking it to implement strict measures including sale of name-based tickets for the concerts of British band 'Coldplay' in January and other shows. The notice was issued to prevent exploitation of fans who buy tickets from online platforms, an official said on Wednesday. There are increasing number of complaints across online forums and social media about problems faced in booking tickets of such high- profile concerts and events through online platforms, he said. Many people reported unresponsive websites during critical booking period, he said, adding that it leads to black-marketing of tickets at exorbitant prices, sometimes as high as ten times the original price. Maharashtra Cyber found that the measures taken by the platforms to avoid such situations are insufficient, said the official. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
07 November,2024 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIAfter mid-day highlighted the plight of 40 women daily-wage workers who were stranded at a Mumbai hotel after their flight to Kathmandu was cancelled on November 3, Royal Nepal Airlines arranged alternative flights to and from Nepal’s capital for the passengers. The women had been informed that the flight, which was to take off at 3.45 pm, was delayed. At 8.30 pm, they were told it had been cancelled. Though airline staff promised to arrange for an alternative travel option the next day (Monday, November 4), they failed to do so, prompting the women to sit outside the Mumbai office in protest on Tuesday morning. That night, after mid-day spoke to the relevant authorities, an alternative flight was finally arranged, allowing the group to travel to Kathmandu on Wednesday morning. Sheeja Pillai, a member of the group The women, all of whom work in Mumbai households as domestic helpers, had saved Rs 40,000 over two years for the trip. Excitement turned to frustration, however, as flight RNA202 was cancelled just before boarding, with the airline citing technical issues involving an Airbus A320 in need of repairs. Despite assurances that they would be accommodated on another flight the following day, the group was left waiting for over 59 hours without concrete information on the rescheduled flight. The airline finally agreed on providing an alternate flight to Kathmandu and has also rescheduled the group's return tickets from November 8 to November 11 and 12. Women affected sat outside the Royal Nepal Airlines’ office on Tuesday. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade Words of gratitude Sheeja Pillai, a member of the group, thanking this newspaper, said, “We had almost lost hope about vacationing in Kathmandu. Thank you, mid-day, for highlighting our issue and bringing us back on track. As domestic workers, we cannot afford to take such trips regularly. The airline had promised us some credit notes, saying that they would allow us to travel some other day but that is not possible for us. We cannot afford to book hotels and also lose the money put in to make hotel reservations now.” Asked about rescheduling the hotel bookings, Pillai said, “Our tour organiser and guides accompanying us spoke to the hotel managers and rescheduled our bookings without any added costs.” Rahul Divedi, tour organiser; (right) Vaibhavi Tawade, a group member Speaking about the return journey to Mumbai, Vaibhavi Tawade, another member of the group, said, “mid-day offered us tremendous support during our ordeal. The airline has shifted our return journey from November 8 to 11. The return tickets have been a bit scattered according to the availability of aircraft seats. Some of us will board the return flight on November 11 while others will do so the following day.” Rahul Divedi, the tour organiser, also thanked mid-day while recounting the difficulties faced since the flight cancellation. “After being informed of the cancellation, the group had to wait for hours before the airline arranged for accommodations at the Hotel Le Grande. Delays continued, as transportation was provided inconsistently. Although an airline representative had promised to stay in contact with updates on the rescheduled departure, no airline staff was available at the hotel.” Repeated calls to the airline’s Mumbai office, messages to the airline’s CEO and complaints to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Civil Aviation went unanswered. Divedi, along with the stranded passengers, sought fair compensation, especially given the impact on the women’s finances as daily-wage workers. Finally, late at night, on November 5, Royal Nepal Airlines arranged an alternative flight, allowing the group to travel to Kathmandu on November 6.Divedi added, “We were having dinner at the hotel when the hotel staff received a call from the airline’s office to inform us to check out and proceed towards the airport. Transport was also made available for us. After clearing immigration and other formalities, the flight to Kathmandu took off at 3.30 am on Wednesday. We landed at Kathmandu airport around 8 am and moved to our hotel.” 3.30 amTime on Wednesday when flight to Kathmandu took off
07 November,2024 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun Choudhari
Arjuna Award-winning swimmer Virdhawal Khade has been accused of ‘misconduct’ by an 18-year-old woman whom he coached for two years at a suburban gymkhana. Sources alleged that the high-profile coach had sent some obscene photographs to the woman via a messaging application, traumatising her. The Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) has taken disciplinary action against Khade, whose appointment as a co-opted member of its managing committee has been suspended. He has also been banned from participating in any meeting held under the aegis of the GMAAA until next year. Khade has also been denied access to the deck area of swimming pools for any meets conducted under the auspices of GMAAA and he will not be considered for any appointment as coach/manager/mentor of any GMAAA teams participating in the state or national meets. “Disciplinary action has been taken against Khade based on the complaint received from an aggrieved parent accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct for which he has tendered an unconditional apology and expressed regret and remorse,” said GMAAA spokesperson. Virdhawal Khade, who received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2011 Following the swimmer’s allegation, her parents informed the elite sporting club. When contacted, the gymkhana’s president said, “After receiving a complaint against Khade, appropriate action was taken against him with immediate effect.” Meanwhile, a source said, “Khade was under the influence of alcohol when he sent her the obscene photos which disappeared after she viewed them. The girl felt offended and approached her parents, who complained to the gymkhana.” “When the gymkhana committee members confronted him, Khade claimed he wasn’t in his senses as he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. However, the committee members pointed out that he still had the presence of mind to send the photos through a platform that allows them to disappear after being viewed,” the source told mid-day. “Khade was asked to resign following the incident,” the source added. When contacted, Khade said, “On the day of the incident, I was not in Mumbai, I was in Bhubaneshwar. The authorities know the correct version. Whatever mistake and miscommunication happened, I have already apologised to the swimmer and her parents for that.” Disciplinary action A GMAAA source said, “The unsavoury incident occurred on the night of August 8. After the teen’s parents complained to the GMAAA, its managing committee constituted a seven-member disciplinary committee to look into the complaint and recommend suitable penal action deemed fit to meet the ends of justice. Accordingly, an interlocutor appointed by the GMAAA reached out to Khade to apprise him of the complaint and, whether, keeping the principles of justice in mind, he wanted a show-cause notice to be issued to him or given an opportunity to be heard in person.” Khade, however, declined to appear in person and told the GMAAA that he had full faith in the committee and would abide by its decision. The source added that on September 30, Khade sent a letter expressing “regret, remorse and repentance” at what had transpired, terming it as an isolated case of deviant behaviour, apologising unconditionally for the same. On October 28, the GMAAA sent a letter to Khade that read, “The disciplinary committee, after going through the complaint of the aggrieved parent and your written submission, had a detailed discussion and after much deliberation came to the conclusion that your actions on the night of August 8 were inappropriate and betrayed misconduct which vitiated the sacred bond between coach and trainee.” Khade speaks When contacted, Khade said, “Yes, there was some issue which happened in August but everything was resolved between me and the person concerned. I had already resigned as a coach in August, and the person used to be a swimmer at the gymkhana last year; she was not a swimmer there when the incident happened.” “There was a misunderstanding between me and the swimmer. She felt a little offended by a certain thing I had said, but I apologised to her and her parents later. So, the matter was resolved between us in front of gymkhana committee members.” Asked if the matter had been resolved, why her parents approached the GMAAA with their complaint, Khade said, “Yes, after the incident took place, her parents approached the gymkhana and GMAAA simultaneously. But everything was resolved in the presence of gymkhana committee members. Since GMAAA had already received a complaint against me, they took the decision much later.” “I trust the judgment of the GMAAA. The GMAAA and the Swimming Federation of India know the details of the incident that had happened in August. I have faith in them to take the decision that they feel is appropriate,” said Khade, underscoring, “They did not approach the Mumbai police to register any complaint against me. You can get in touch with the cops if you want.” mid-day tried to reach out to one of the parents of teenager, but she remained unavailable for comment. The GMAAA has sent a copy of the letter to Swimming Federation of India. Who is Virdhawal Khade? Olympian Virdhawal Khade, 33, is a former national record holder in 50m, 100 and 200m freestyle events. He has represented India at the Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2008). Khade became the youngest-ever Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. Though he did not qualify for the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he did finish first in his heat (Heat 3) and set a new personal best of 50.07 seconds, placing him 42nd overall. At the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Khade won a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly, ending a 24-year wait for Indian swimming. Sachin Nag was the first Indian to win a swimming gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games held in New Delhi. He won six gold medals and broke three Games Records at the 2006 South Asian Games. In 2011, Khade was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award. Oct 28Day GMAAA sent letter to Virdhawal Khade Inputs by Sundarii Iyer
07 November,2024 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaThe air quality in Mumbai and its surrounding areas remained at a "moderate" level. On Thursday, a haze blanketed the city, obscuring its skyline. Meanwhile, the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department indicated a temperature rise. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.3 degrees Celcius, which was 1.6 degrees above normal. 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 35 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 22 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 60 per cent. The sun rose at 06:41 AM and will set at 06:02 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather updates forecast a "mainly clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On November 7, 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 117 at 9:05 AM. Many areas across Mumbai—per the SAMEER app dashboard—showed 'moderate' AQI. However, Bandra Kurla Complex's AQI slipped further into the 'poor' category, at 203. Worli, Chembur and Malad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 127, 120 and 135. Meanwhile, Borivali recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 84. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 152, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 133. 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.
07 November,2024 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Vandre East (Bandra East) constituency, home to the commercial hub Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and the Thackeray residence Matoshree, is set to witness a high-stakes electoral battle. The traditional Shiv Sena stronghold will see Varun Sardesai, a trusted aide of Aaditya Thackeray, face off against NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate and sitting MLA Zeeshan Siddique. This is not merely a fierce contest for the candidates; it is also a significant test for the Thackeray family and the Shiv Sena (UBT). The opposing side, however, faces its own trials: Zeeshan’s father, former state minister Baba Siddique, was recently murdered near the former’s office. Having recently joined the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), this election will serve as a litmus test for the young legislator. In the 2019 election, Siddique won this seat by defeating Vishwanath Mahadeshwar of the undivided Shiv Sena, a former mayor of Mumbai. Bandra Kurla Complex, which is plagued by traffic congestion and poor air quality. Pic/Ashish Raje The Thackeray camp views the seat as prestigious. Historically, it was won by the undivided Shiv Sena in 2009 and 2014, but they lost it in 2019 when Zeeshan secured victory on a Congress ticket. Now, the Congress, as an MVA ally, has conceded the Thackeray faction’s claim to this seat. Following the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, the Sena (UBT) has intensified its efforts here, fielding Varun Sardesai, a trusted aide of Aaditya Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray has assigned his key strategist, Anil Parab, also the vibhag pramukh for the area, to ensure Sardesai’s success. Voter demographics The constituency represents a cross-section of society, encompassing slum clusters along the railways, MHADA buildings in Kherwadi, the Government Colony and BKC, the latest address of India Inc. It comprises Marathi-speaking voters, Muslims, Dalits and a mix of economic classes—from slums to new residential towers. Carved out in 2009, the constituency was previously part of Kherwadi and was traditionally a Congress stronghold due to its Muslim and Dalit voters. With redrawn boundaries, Shiv Sena’s Bala Sawant won the seat in 2009 and 2014. Following Sawant’s death in 2015, the by-election saw Congress fielding former chief minister Narayan Rane, who had earlier lost to Shiv Sena’s Vaibhav Naik in the Konkan region. Rane was unsuccessful, with Sawant’s widow Trupti winning the by-election. In 2019, the Shiv Sena fielded former Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, denying a ticket to Trupti Sawant. The ensuing division in votes, spurred by Sawant’s independent candidacy, facilitated Zeeshan’s win. The constituency has around 40,000 to 45,000 loyal Shiv Sena voters from previous elections, and even at the peak of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) agitation, this base remained largely unaffected. The Sena (UBT) now aims to reclaim these votes, believing that Zeeshan may struggle to retain minority support as an NCP (Ajit Pawar)candidate aligned with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Sardesai claims that Shiv Sena (UBT) has a vote base of 40,000 to 50,000 in the seat and does not foresee a close contest in the current scenario. “Vandre East has traditionally been a Sena stronghold. However, in the 2019 election, Zeeshan won primarily due to two factors: the vote split between Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and Trupti Sawant, and Congress’s support. This time, after our consistent groundwork highlighting Zeeshan’s five-year neglect, we believe the votes will swing in our favour. Furthermore, Zeeshan’s shift from Congress to NCP (Ajit Pawar)will work against him, as evidenced by the trends and vote sharing in this year’s Lok Sabha elections. With Congress on our side, we expect those votes to turn towards us.” Zeeshan boasts that nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the constituency supports him and wants him to repeat his terms. He alleged that Congress was playing games with him even after his father’s passing. “They misled me. They kept saying to me that I would win from this seat unopposed, etc. They kept me in the dark about everything and suddenly announced the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from this seat.” He added, “People of this constituency have seen my work and my father’s work and want me to repeat my term.” When mid-day met the rivals separately, who have started campaigning, both candidates appeared to share common ground regarding the constituency’s key issues, expressing similar concerns about redevelopment, water issues and air pollution. Varun Sardesai Shiv Sena (UBT) Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sardesai at his office in Bandra East on November 5. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade What is your stance on redevelopment projects, especially SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) schemes? Given the concerns about vertical slums emerging from this policy, do you think the scheme should be reformed, paused, or replaced? If so, what alternatives would you suggest?I think the most important issue in this constituency is housing, which is directly connected to the state government, not the BMC. Almost 90 per cent of the population in Vandre East lives in slums. On a macro level, everyone wants redevelopment and permanent homes. But on a micro level, the issues vary from area to area. For example, Behrampada has been a slum for the last 40-50 years with no signs of redevelopment because the land is still with the Railways and hasn’t been transferred to the state government. Meanwhile, in Khar East, a predominantly Maharashtrian area, land belonging to the defence department hasn’t been transferred either. Just a minute away from here, Government Colony residents await redevelopment and ownership of their houses. The common issue is that every resident wants a permanent house. In the last five years, the incumbent MLA despite being in the government, hasn’t managed to push a single project forward and lacks a report card to show. Redevelopment is a major issue here, and the SRA projects are often delayed due to developers’ unfulfilled promises. People have been living in transit camps for five to fifteen years without permanent housing. This is a state issue, and it will be my priority. What plans do you have to improve road quality and pedestrian footpaths? How will you address last-mile connectivity challenges to ensure ease of access for residents? Are you aware of any high-risk areas what immediate steps will you take to address these?Traffic is another key issue. BKC is now the commercial capital of Mumbai, Hence the traffic problems faced by Bandra residents are huge. During peak hours, if one tries to go towards Bandra East station, it is a big headache. Making Khar, Bandra and Santacruz East stations pedestrian-friendly is on my agenda. Apart from this, there is a need for better roads and water supply. Parts of the population in this constituency live in high-rises where houses cost roughly around R8 to 9 crore, yet sometimes they don’t have access to clean water. All these issues need to be solved. In the past two and half years, BMC corporators have been non-existent. Residents are not sure whom to approach for their civic issues. That is why all of these things have gotten very complicated. The BKC Metro station is a prime example of how poor planning can be. There is no last-mile connectivity. You don’t get any rickshaws or buses outside the station. There should be a dedicated rickshaw/taxi stand or bus stop. The fact that we have to even discuss these basic issues shows the apathy of the planning institutions towards our city. This has to change. Public transport services are vital to city mobility. What measures would you advocate for to improve their efficiency, reach, and accessibility for all citizens, particularly in high-density areas?The accessibility around railway stations is inadequate. In today’s tech-savvy world, it’s unacceptable that it’s challenging to walk straight on a road for five minutes. Many public representatives have been focussing only on their personal ambitions. I aim to change this. Basic changes like pedestrian-friendly roads near stations are quick fixes but require strong willpower. This has been missing so far, I feel. For instance, it takes 15-20 minutes to get in the train from Dadar and reach Bandra, but the commute from Bandra to nearby areas can take 30-35 minutes due to rickshaw refusals. These aren’t minor issues—they impact lakhs of commuters every single day. This is a major priority for me. What initiatives do you propose to address water contamination? How will you ensure reliable water access for every household in the area?Water contamination and irregular supply are persistent issues across Bandra East, even in affluent areas near BKC where flats cost between R5 to R10 crore. Residents pay high taxes but still lack clean water. In other parts of the constituency, some people get water only for two hours a day, sometimes with low pressure. Recently, a sewage-water line mix-up at Kalanagar caused the contamination of water, which our party helped resolve swiftly. How do you plan to address air pollution? How will you promote a cleaner, healthier environment for residents?With my background in civil engineering, I understand environmental issues. Spot reduction of air pollution is challenging, but we can manage traffic to reduce emissions. BKC sees daily congestion and worsening air quality. If we improve traffic flow, we can reduce pollution levels significantly. Modern traffic solutions are essential here, given the high volume of vehicles entering and exiting BKC daily. Infrastructure development contributes to pollution, but better planning can mitigate this. Are there specific initiatives you would focus on to boost employment, especially for youth and marginalised groups?Job creation and unemployment are pressing issues not only in Bandra East but across Maharashtra. Major industries initially planned for Maharashtra have moved to Gujarat, frustrating youth across the state. If the current government remains in power, we risk losing more job opportunities. This is a vital issue, and it’s critical to secure jobs here in Maharashtra, not export them elsewhere. Zeeshan Siddique NCP (Ajit Pawar) Zeeshan addresses a rally outside Bandra court on Tuesday As the sitting MLA, what are the major issues and problems in this constituency? What will be your focus this time?The biggest issue is housing and land. In my opinion, the primary concern is pending and delayed redevelopment. For instance, Behrampada exemplifies the challenges with redevelopment. Recently, we requested a new city survey of this area due to an ongoing dispute involving residents, the state government and Railways. Although the survey has been approved, it has yet to be conducted. The state government needs to acquire this land to resolve a significant redevelopment issue that has been stalled for years. Besides this, challenges related to health, education, and basic infrastructure persist. Over the past five years, we have successfully addressed several of these issues, though some remain in progress. What is your stance on current redevelopment projects, particularly the SRA schemes? Are there alternatives you would suggest?Stalled redevelopment is a significant issue here. When it comes to slum redevelopment plans, the SRA has failed the people. SRA was meant to be a transparent, people-centred initiative, but instead, redevelopment has stagnated, leading to widespread injustice. Many residents, such as those in the Behrampada slums, suffer due to this. Upon becoming MLA, I found many areas encircled by blue metal sheets, with people relocated to transit camps under redevelopment promises. Yet, builders have failed to provide permanent homes, forcing residents to live in these camps for 20 years or longer. They receive no rent, and no action is taken against these builders. We have also demanded the revocation of the 3K clause scheme in Golibar, another unresolved slum rehabilitation project in Bandra East. The SRA appears to serve developer interests rather than the people’s. What specific plans do you have to improve road quality and pedestrian footpaths? How will you address last-mile connectivity challenges? Are there any high-risk areas in your constituency that need immediate attention?Traffic is another major issue here. When people talk about encroachments, with some living on pedestrian pathways, footpaths, or under flyovers, it’s important to recognise that no one chooses to live in such conditions. But with a lack of proper housing, unfinished builder projects, and inadequate rehabilitation, where else can these people go? While we must show empathy, we also need to enforce law and order, manage traffic, and maintain public utilities like skywalks and footpaths. Basic needs, such as accessible roads and pedestrian walkways, are severely lacking, and previous MLAs failed to address these issues. There are no proper walking spaces, leading to accidents where children and seniors fall and suffer injuries. Recently, we have made efforts to improve these facilities, even though some may consider these minor compared to larger projects. We are also working on last-mile connectivity to Metro and railway stations, as many residents have requested. Additionally, the traffic department will address issues with shared autos and refusals to ply. Is water contamination and supply an issue in your constituency? What initiatives do you propose to address it? How will you ensure reliable water access for every household?Water supply is another challenge. Many areas struggle with inadequate and poor-quality water. We have previously held meetings with the BMC hydraulics department regarding these issues. The supply has been inadequate, and in some areas, the water isn’t clean. The BMC suggested there might be a leak in the Tansa pipeline. While many of these issues have been addressed, there is still room for improvement. Clean water and sanitation remain a priority, and we are working to resolve these issues urgently. Areas like BKC and Kherwadi report high pollution levels. How do you plan to address air pollution and promote a healthier environment for residents?Continuous construction work in these areas, with builders neglecting basic guidelines on emissions and dust control, has worsened air pollution. Recently, both the chief minister and BMC issued air pollution mitigation guidelines, but I can assure you that not one builder has adhered to them. Corruption prevents regulatory agencies from enforcing these measures effectively. Although BKC is seen as a developed area, Bharat Nagar slum residents, located just behind BKC, suffer immensely. While development in BKC garners attention, we need to focus on the welfare of all residents, including those in neglected slums. What are your views on job creation or unemployment in your constituency? Are there specific initiatives you would focus on to boost employment, especially for youth and marginalised groups?In my view, unemployment is at its peak, and job opportunities are scarce. Despite numerous companies in BKC, there is no policy encouraging them to hire local, unemployed youth. I have personally reached out to some companies, as many qualified young people in this constituency remain jobless while outsiders fill positions in these companies. We need initiatives to ensure that local talent benefits from employment opportunities within the constituency. Citizens speak Mario Fishery, Bandra resident According to Bandra resident Mario Fishery, transportation, walkability and last-mile connectivity is a major issue. “The number of buses or their frequency has reduced. Public transport needs to be enhanced. There are bad footpaths in many areas, barring in and around BKC. There are good walking spaces there, but in other, areas walking is an issue. The cycling track which they boasted of is not accessible at many places. In BKC, you get an accessible track but only from ICICI bank, which too will get scrapped. I have heard of fewer takers,” he said. Maithily Gaokar said, “Aside from BKC and a few surrounding areas, redevelopment in Bandra East and Khar has largely remained an unresolved issue. When people think of the Bandra East constituency, only BKC and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link come to mind, but other parts need attention. Beyond redevelopment, water supply and transportation are major concerns. There is also an autorickshaw nexus operating outside Bandra East station and Bandra Terminus.” Total number of registered voters in Bandra East 1,31,9561,17,12721Total: 2,49,104 Vote share in previous elections 2019Zeeshan Siddique (Congress) 38,337Vishwanath Mahadeshwar (Undivided Shiv Sena) 32,547Trupti Prakash Sawant (Independent) 24,071Akhil Chitre (MNS) 10,683 2015 (By-elections)Trupti Prakash Sawant (Undivided Shiv Sena) 52,711Narayan Tatu Rane (Congress) 33,703Rahebar Siraj Khan (AIMIM) 15,050 Stand a good chance: MNS candidate Trupti Sawant, MNS candidate Trupti Sawant, the widow of Sena leader Prakash (Bala) Sawant, won the 2015 by-elections with a large margin, defeating Narayan Rane. In the 2019 Assembly elections, her vote share contributed to a split in votes for the undivided Shiv Sena, which ultimately became a decisive factor in Zeeshan Siddique’s victory over the Sena candidate. After being denied a ticket from Shiv Sena, Trupti decided to contest as an independent. This election, however, she is contesting on MNS ticket. In 2019, the MNS candidate from Bandra East, Akhil Chitre, secured only 10,648 votes. Sawant told mid-day, “Yes, I am contesting as MNS’s candidate. I have a voter base of 24,000 to 25,000. I have been continuously working for the people. They know me, my face and my work in the constituency, which I believe will translate into votes. Since I have been active on the ground, my supporters urged me to contest. This time, I didn’t want to run as an independent, as I faced many challenges last time—such as receiving my symbol very late, which made it difficult to connect with people without organised support. Until the last moment, I was unsure about my candidacy with MNS, but I am very grateful to them. I know the MNS candidate received few votes last time, but I see this as an advantage. With both the MNS votes and my voter base combined, I believe I can gather a strong number of votes. I still feel I have a solid chance in this election.”
07 November,2024 08:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghEven as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused his party’s ideological fountainhead, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of discreetly attacking the Indian Constitution, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the Opposition leader in Lok Sabha was hand in glove with ultra-leftist organisations in his efforts to create anarchy in the country and Maharashtra that goes to polls on November 20. On Wednesday, Gandhi spoke at one of the chapters of Samvidhan Samman Sammelan held in Nagpur on Wednesday, not very far from the RSS’s Reshimbagh facility. Fadnavis reiterated the accusation at the election rallies in western Maharashtra. Earlier on Tuesday, the ex-CM had said that what Gandhi and leftists were doing was nothing but ‘urban naxalism’. On Wednesday, Fadnavis again flagged Gandhi for carrying ‘a red-coloured book in the name of Constitution’ and flashing it wherever he went. Apparently, the DyCM linked the red colour with left-wing parties’ flag colours. “The Congress is also seeking your votes. Rahul Gandhi is also in Maharashtra today, but let me tell you today that the kind of combination Rahul Gandhi is trying is dangerous for Maharashtra and our country. He started Bharat Jodo (Yatra). We thought it was good work, but now we have realised that of 150-200 organisations that were associated with Bharat Jodo, over 100 are anarchist and ultra-leftist. If we see their track record, we realise that these organisations are working to trigger hate in the society, they work to dilute the society’s trust in the Constitution, system and judiciary,” said Fadnavis. Fadnavis said it was not ‘Bharat Jodo’ but ‘Bharat Todo’ (divide). “I have a question for Rahul Gandhi. Why does he, for these ultra-leftist people, carry a red book in the name of the Constitution and show it? Why only red? Who are you passing the message to? This isn’t as simple as it looks. It is a conspiracy by the Congress to tear apart our social fabric under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. This is their experiment to create anarchy in Maharashtra. But I’m confident that your support and blessings for us will see more development in Maharashtra instead of anarchy,” the ex-CM said in Jat constituency. ‘Are Marathis Urban Naxals?’ State Congress President Nana Patole demanded that Fadnavis tender an apology to the people from Maharashtra who participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. “Are all these people urban naxal? The anti-Constitution people have no right to decide the colour of the book,” he said, adding that the BJP was jilted because Gandhi’s event was held at a place which is adjacent to RSS’s shaktisthal in Reshimbagh. Patole batted for the left parties that had a current government in Kerala and had one in the past in West Bengal and other states. “We still have left party MPs and MLAs. Are the people who vote for them too anti-national? If so, then, Fadnavis, whose government is in power, can take action against these people.” Nov 23Day of counting
07 November,2024 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreThe Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wooed women voters, among others, with a bigger form of Ladki Bahin Yojana, promising to give them Rs 3,000 per month and allow them to travel for free on state transport buses. This was one of five guarantees, which includes a farm loan waiver, that the Opposition alliance proposed at MVA’s first joint election rally at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), on Wednesday. In addition, the MVA has assured a farm loan waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh and Rs 50,000 assistance for regularly servicing farm loans. It said a caste census would be conducted if it came to power and it would also remove a 50 per cent cap on reservations. A health insurance package of Rs 25 lakh and free medicine has also been promised. Unemployed youth will get a Rs 4,000 per month allowance. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, his party president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP-SP president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and other MVA constituents unveiled the guarantees. They took turns to explain the five guarantees. ‘Mumbai robbed of benefits’ Gandhi took up the issue of the city’s land transfer to Adani’s company, which has been entrusted with the redevelopment of Dharavi. He said the government was out to help a few billionaires. “Land worth R1 lakh crore is being given to a billionaire,” he said, adding that the BJP government had been indirectly collecting Rs 90,000 per year, per household in Maharashtra by way of increased prices (inflation) and giving that money to Adani and Ambani. Will scrap Dharavi tenders’ Thackeray promised to scrap the Dharavi redevelopment tenders if the MVA came to power. “We will ensure that the Dharavi residents get their homes and business in Dharavi only. This is not only about Dharavi because Adani, in addition to TDR, has been allotted land parcels in several parts of the city. Dharavi will also be part of our guarantees,” said Thackeray. Corruption everywhere Pawar alleged the present government was corrupt to the core. He said even the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg was not spared. “The statue that was inaugurated by PM Modi collapsed because of corruption. Old statues are still standing tall because there was no corruption,” he said. MVA’s five guarantees 1. Rs 3,000 per month and free travel for women on state transport buses under a scheme named Mahalaxmi Yojana2. Farm loan waiver upto Rs 3 lakh; Rs 50,000 assistance for regularly servicing loans3. Caste census to be conducted; to remove a 50 per cent cap on reservations4. Health insurance of Rs 25 lakh and free-of-cost medicine5. Rs 4,000 per month allowance for unemployed youth
07 November,2024 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreA night before the Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi announced its guarantee for the Maharashtra voters, the Mahayuti led the campaign by releasing a 10-point vachan-nama (promises) ahead of the November 20 state Assembly elections. It’s a please-all agenda that the ruling alliance expected to beat the Karnataka-Telangana-like populist dole the Congress-led opposition coalition has unveiled in Mumbai. CM Eknath Shinde, DyCM Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar kicked off Mahayuti’s joint campaign in Kolhapur on Tuesday night, assuring the voters of ‘unprecedented’ prosperity and development. As expected the troika emphasised on ‘in vogue’ Ladki Bahin Yojana, promising the women to increase the monthly allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. “We’ll release a comprehensive vachan-nama soon, but these 10 points are very important for economic relief, employment generation, social security, and women’s safety,” said Shinde, adding that the first right to the state’s treasury was of the farmers. “We will waive off farm loans and raise the Shetkari Sanman Yojana grant further,” he said. When asked on Wednesday in Baramati where he released his party NCP’s manifesto, finance minister Ajit Pawar said that the promises given by Mahayuti were financially feasible and sustainable. Mahayuti’s 10 promises . Ladki Bahin Yojana monthly allowances are to be increased from R1,500 to R2,100, and 25,000 women will be recruited in police force. . The annual financial assistance for farmers to be increased to R15,000. 20% subsidy on the Minimum Support Price. Monthly pensions for sr citizens will be raised from R1,500 to R2,100. Prices of essential commodities to be stabilised. To create 25 lakh jobs; provide monthly stipend of R10,000 for 10 lakh skill development students.. To boost rural infrastructure, including good roads in 45,000 villages of the state. Salaries of Anganwadi and ASHA workers to be hiked to R15,000 . Cut of 30% in all kinds of electricity bills by shifting to renewable energy sources.. Food and shelter for every individual.. Vision Maharashtra 2029 document to be released within the first 100 days if elected.
07 November,2024 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra Jore'Wake up Canada government' was the message at a Wednesday afternoon protest near the gate of the IndiaBulls International Centre on Senapati Bapat Marg, near Prabhadevi station. The protesting group led jointly by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal gathered at the site, which also saw significant police presence, to condemn the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Brothers, please While placards were held up, citing slogans and creating awareness, asking the Canadian government for action against attackers, Shriraj Nair, national spokesperson, VHP, said, “Let this be clear, the Sikhs and Hindus are one. We are brothers. We have nothing against the Sikhs. This is against fringe elements that are intent on pushing the Khalistan narrative, stoking divisions between the two communities.” “There are thousands of Hindus living and working in Canada in a peaceful way and contributing to society and the economy. If they are involved in crime, it is extremely negligible, or 0.0 per cent. We know that the Consulate General of Canada office is closed here and nobody is present, but this is a symbolic protest. Our Hindu brothers in Canada told us to do something here so that voices reach Canada,” Nair said. He added that they were not against the Canadian government, “yet we want all those involved in these attacks to be arrested.” False narrative Mohan Salekar, Prant secretary, VHP, said, “It is good that we heard some condemnation for the first time from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. What were these Hindus doing? They were attacked while praying at the temple. That is why this protest was important.” At a Diwali meet ’n’ greet just two hours prior to the protest, Salekar stated, “The upcoming elections are not just the Maharashtra state Assembly elections but a compass that will show us which direction the country is heading. We want more people to come out and vote, especially the elite in their high rises.” He added, “During the general elections, there was organisation and logistics for the Bharat Jodo Yatra from certain foreign-funded NGOs. There was a false narrative spread that the Constitution was under threat. At that time, perhaps some sections were laid back in countering this false narrative, but lessons have been learnt and there are robust counters against attempts to spread lies and malicious, misleading claims.” No division The entire VHP top brass reiterated unity between Hindus and Sikhs and pointed out that the 1984 riots, which took place after PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination, also saw incendiary speeches by Congress leaders. Senior VHP functionary Dinesh T said, “There are no schisms between Hindus and Sikhs. They are our brothers, and the assassination was also highly politicised.” All the speakers pointed out that trouble is being fomented, and ‘we want Khalistan divisions’ are being given oxygen by those who believe in ‘tukde tukde Bharat’ and ‘todo Bharat’. The protest was well regulated, it saw curious onlookers asking about the issue. The gathering dispersed to shouts of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ rising above the blare of vehicle horns at the buzzing intersection.
07 November,2024 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharCongress has demanded that the Maharashtra government’s decision to appoint Sanjay Kumar Verma as the new Director General of Police only for the Assembly election be scrapped. State unit president Nana Patole has written a letter to the Election Commission of India to intervene to make Verma’s assignment permanent. Verma replaced Rashmi Shukla on Tuesday following ECI’s directive to remove her. The Congress that had complained to the ECI against Shukla has claimed the credit for her removal. Party’s chief spokesperson Atul Londhe demanded on Wednesday that the government’s decision didn’t mention Verma’s appointment was permanent in nature, but only for the period of the state elections. He told a media conference that the party will move the courts if the decision was not changed. Patole’s letter said, “While this decision by the Hon’ble Commission is commendable in upholding the spirit of the election process as envisaged by the Constitution of India, certain concerns regarding this matter still require the Hon’ble Commission’s attention. It is submitted that the State Government has not adhered to the Order of the Hon’ble Commission in either letter or spirit. As per the Order issued by the State Government, the appointment of Shri Sanjay Verma, IPS, as DGP is only for the election period of the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly. The incumbent State Government cannot appoint Shri Sanjay Verma, IPS, in a temporary capacity, as this contradicts the Hon’ble Commission’s Order.” The letter also said that it was not within the rights of the incumbent State Government to place Shukla on permanent leave with the option to reinstate her after the elections, given that the Hon’ble Commission has issued no such directive. “We, therefore, request that the Hon’ble Commission direct the incumbent State Government to issue an order confirming Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma’s appointment as DGP without conditions or caveats beyond those specified by the Hon’ble Commission’s Order,” said the letter further.
07 November,2024 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
