On 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 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 08:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarLangar: The selfless community meal Guru Nanak’s emphasis on langar arose as a reaction to the social injustices of his time, particularly the caste system, which dictated who could eat with whom. By establishing langar, he demonstrated that all people are equal before God. Today, gurudwaras worldwide offer langar daily, with the food prepared and served by volunteers. A defining aspect of Sikhism is the practice of langar, or the community kitchen. Langar was introduced by Guru Nanak as a means of promoting equality, where all, regardless of social status, religion, or gender, could share a meal together as equals. The concept of langar symbolises the idea that no one should go hungry and reinforces the principle of selfless service to others, a pillar of Sikh belief. At Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar in Borivali, President Narendra Singh Mokha shared how langar on this day feeds thousands. “In a single day, nearly 5,000-10,000 people share langar. It’s humbling to see people from all walks of life sit and eat together.” Langar at this Gurudwara, like in many others, extends beyond feeding the body; it’s about nourishing the soul with a sense of shared community. Similarly, Dadar Gurudwara’s Manmohan Singh Rathi elaborates on the sheer scale of the langar during Guru Nanak Jayanti. “This year, we expect over 30,000 people to join us. The act of sitting together, rich or poor, Sikh or non-Sikh, reminds us that we’re all equal in the eyes of God,” he says. Rathi notes, “The purpose of Langar is to ensure that no one goes hungry and that all feel welcome.” Gurmukh Singh highlights the scale of their preparations, with volunteers gearing up to serve nearly 7,000 to 8,000 people. The Gurudwara will prepare an immense amount of food, including 400 kg of chapati, 130-140 kg of rice, and 200 kg of kheer. He explains, “Langar was a social revolution. It allowed people to sit together for food, breaking barriers.” Prabhat Pheri and Nagar Kirtan: Community on the move One of the beautiful traditions while celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti is the Prabhat Pheri – early morning processions where devotees sing hymns and carry the divine message into the streets. Leading up to the festival, Prabhat Pheris invites local communities to join in these early dawn gatherings, walking and singing together, reminding people of the core values of equality and devotion. Nagar Kirtan is another integral part of these celebrations, where the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism, is carried through the streets in a beautifully adorned palanquin. At the head of the procession are the Panj Pyare or “Five Beloved Ones,” representatives of courage and selflessness. The kirtans, or hymn recitals, fill the air, transforming ordinary streets into paths of reverence and unity. Gurmukh Singh, president of Sri Dasmesh Darbar in Thane, described their Prabhat Pheris as a joyful experience that unites the community. “For three days, we walk together, sing together, reminding ourselves and others of Guru Nanak’s teachings.” Rejecting distinctions based on religion, caste, or gender, Guru Nanak promoted a universal message of love, equality, and humility, which became the bedrock of Sikh philosophy. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Talwandi, a village now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. His teachings were centered on three core principles: Naam Japna (remembering God’s name), Kirat Karni (earning an honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others, especially those in need). These teachings, which guide the faith, are celebrated on his birth anniversary through acts of devotion, compassion, and service. Mokha advises embracing Guru Nanak’s teachings in daily life, “Live happily, work hard, and help those in need. This is the true Sikh path of life.” Addressing the Khalistan agenda concerning Sikhs In recent times, certain issues like Khalistan have come to be associated with Sikhism, often casting a political shadow over its peaceful teachings. However, the community leaders were unanimous in their stance. “The true Sikhism of Guru Nanak has no political agenda,” says Gurmukh Singh. “Our focus is on service, love, and universal brotherhood.” Mokha echoes this sentiment, stating, “Sikhism’s goal is not division; it is inclusion and harmony.” Rathi from Dadar Gurudwara added, “This time is sacred, and I would urge everyone to look beyond political issues and focus on the peace and unity that Guru Nanak preached.”
15 November,2024 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaThe investigation into the Baba Siddique murder case by the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that Gurmail Singh, who was arrested along with Dharmraj Kashyap near the crime scene, was the main shooter and was initially supposed to lead Kashyap and Shivakumar Gautam. Gautam was arrested 27 days after the murder from his hometown in Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh). According to officials, this revelation surfaced after Gautam’s arrest earlier this week. Gautam stated that, under instructions from the key conspirator Shubham Lonkar, Singh was intended to lead him and Kashyap. However, on the day of the incident, when Siddique was gunned down, the plan changed as Singh and Kashyap panicked. Gautam took the lead, shooting Siddique while a suspended police constable assigned to Siddique’s protection stood seven to eight feet away. Shivkumar, the main shooter According to the Crime Branch, Gautam claimed that on October 13, when Zeeshan Siddique left his Bandra East office, his father walked towards the car in the direction where Singh and Kashyap were standing. Fearing that Siddique had discovered their motive, Singh and Kashyap hesitated and didn’t open fire. Gautam, who was positioned on the other side, saw Siddique alone and, noticing Singh wasn’t shooting, took the lead and fired multiple rounds. Two shots hit Siddique in the chest, causing him to fall. The Crime Branch also revealed that Gurmail Singh has a criminal record, including a murder charge in Punjab, and was closely associated with the absconding conspirator Jasin Akhtar, alias Zeeshan. Akhtar connected Singh with Lonkar, and Singh then joined the team of shooters, playing a leadership role in reconnaissance efforts, as confirmed in the investigation. Officials further stated that, during interrogation, Gautam disclosed that after the incident, he fled the scene. Unseen by anyone, he ran a few metres, dropped his bag and gun beneath a parked car, changed his clothes, and returned to the spot to observe. He even claimed to have gone to the hospital to check if Siddique had survived. However, officials are sceptical about this, given that he reportedly reached Thane around 10.47 pm, and the shooting occurred between 9.00 and 9.30 pm. Gautam told the Crime Branch that after changing his clothes, he returned to the crime scene where he saw police taking two of his associates away in a vehicle. While he was standing there, other officers were searching for him, and one of them even asked if he had seen anyone fleeing the area. Gautam calmly denied this without panicking. Afterward, he took an auto-rickshaw to Lilavati hospital. “It’s difficult to believe that he went to the hospital, waited there for 30 minutes, and then made it to Thane by 10.47 pm,” an officer said. The officials also mentioned that Gautam travelled to Kurla by auto after the shooting, then took a local train to Thane, and proceeded to Pune, from where he reached Lucknow and finally took a bus to his hometown, Bahraich. However, he claims to have visited the hospital before going to Kurla. So far, the Crime Branch has arrested 23 accused in the case, including shooters and others involved in the conspiracy. However, the main conspirators, Lonkar and Akhtar, remain at large.
15 November,2024 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanBJP MP and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has said the slogan “batenge to katenge” is not in good taste and is irrelevant, and the people will not appreciate it. Chavan also said he doesn’t attach much importance to the “vote jihad-dharma yuddha” rhetoric, as the BJP and ruling Mahayuti’s policy is the development of the country and Maharashtra. Notably, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has been raising the slogan of “batenge to katenge” (divided we fall) in his rallies ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls. Asked about it, Chavan said, “There is no relevance of this [slogan]. Slogans are given during election time. This particular slogan is not in good taste and I don’t think people will appreciate it. Personally speaking, I am not in favour of such slogans.” “Every political functionary has to take a decision after a lot of thinking. We also have to see that nobody’s sentiments are hurt,” the BJP leader added, while speaking at Ardhapur in Nanded during his election campaign for Mahayuti. Asked if the poll campaign was drifting away from the issue of development amid the “vote jihad-dharma yuddha” narrative, Chavan said the Mahayuti and BJP’s policy was Viksit Bharat and Viksit Maharashtra, as spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I don’t give much importance [to vote jihad rhetoric]. Personally speaking, development is my only agenda. Therefore, people appreciate my stand despite me changing the party,” said the parliamentarian, who joined the BJP in February this year after a long association with the Congress. 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
15 November,2024 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesTwo Assembly constituencies in Mumbai—172 Anushakti Nagar and 173 Chembur—will follow the ‘green election model’ idea, which includes increasing the vote share by adopting environmental practices to leave zero carbon footprint after the elections are over. IAS officer Dr Heera Lal Patel, who had successfully implemented the concept of climate mitigation in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, has brought the model here as Election Observer of these two constituencies in Mumbai. Dr Patel had implemented the idea as Returning Officer/District Election Official of Banda city in Uttar Pradesh in the 2019 Lok Sabha election and the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab in June 2024. What is a green election? The green election concept is about significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the election through the use of biodegradable materials and the promotion of tree planting drives. The initiative also includes spreading awareness and educating the public on eco-friendly practices. Dr Heera Lal Patel planting a sapling “The Election Commission of India (ECI) expected elections to be free, fair, transparent, and eco-friendly. However, the term ‘eco-friendly’ wasn’t widely known or easily understood by everyone. To make it simpler and more relatable, we decided to use the term ‘green election’. Both ‘green’ and ‘election’ are common words that people easily and widely understand. By calling it a green election, we aimed to promote the idea of environment-friendly elections in a way that resonated with everyone,” Dr Patel, the Election Observer for Anushakti Nagar and Chembur, said. “Our team encourages voters and citizens to plant trees on the voting day or before. Frequent meetings of officials at all levels ensure wide visibility and support for the initiative. Besides using recyclable material for the elections, there has been a focus on digital campaigns to avoid the use of paper,” he said. According to Dr Patel, the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) select persons active in environment protection and climate change mitigation, make a constituency/block-wise list of persons and promote green elections and environment protection through them as brand ambassadors of an environment-friendly election process. “Our teams also visit schools where students are encouraged to ask their parents and relatives to go out and vote. In addition to this, AROs must organise debates between political parties, schools, colleges and education institutes to promote environment protection and green election,” he added. What going green means... >> Zero plastic; completely biodegradable materials to be used so no waste is generated>> Completely recyclable stationary to be used for all election material>> Encouraging and counselling voters to plant one sapling per vote>> Focus on digital documentation to reduce paperwork>> Asking corporates and banks to adopt local parks and gardens
15 November,2024 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarSanjay 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 08:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariSanjay 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 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariThe 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 07:55 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 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleADVERTISEMENT
