While politicians increasingly speak about growing vehicular indiscipline and unregulated traffic, former guardian minister for Mumbai suburbs and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray in a candid interview said, among other things, that if re-elected, he would improve BEST services, station at least one police officer on every street in his constituency to increase awareness of traffic rules and reduce congestion. The Thackeray scion laid out his plans to make the city more liveable—from implementing an integrated traffic management plan to revamping the housing situation to boosting healthcare to increasing the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) fleet to improving pedestrian connectivity to saving open spaces and the environment—in a freewheeling interview with mid-day. Excerpts. Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, on Friday. Pics/Rane Ashish You are contesting from Worli for the second time, this time in a triangular fight. Two-time MP and Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora is contesting against you. An MNS candidate, too, is in the fray. How do you view this fight?It’s not just a triangular fight. It would be unfair for us to not count the other candidates, too. There are many more candidates apart from us. I think equal respect and weightage have to be given to everyone. At the end of the day, we’re all only candidates who are looking to serve people and win their votes. My only issue is if someone is dedicated to contesting, they should step away from any cushioning like a Rajya Sabha seat. Resign from the Rajya Sabha seat and then enter the fray. If you have cushioning, then it seems like you’re here just to pass the time. People in the Mahayuti parties are saying Aaditya Thackeray was not active in his constituency...If that was the case, they wouldn't have had to send in so many people and have so many rallies. Let them say whatever; people know what I've done there for the past five years when we were in government. When we were out of government, projects like BDD, which were stuck for 25 years were delivered by us. So many slum rehabilitation schemes that were stuck for 17-18 years have now taken off. Multiple chawls that want to go for self-redevelopment or redevelopment are being actively assisted by us. The Eknath Shinde government wants to convert the Worli Koliwada into a cluster or a slum, which we will prevent. I think everyone knows the work we've been doing. Even in high-rise buildings, everyone is in direct touch with us. So, we are within the people and amongst the people, no matter what the opposition says. Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate As the MLA from that constituency, what were the key issues you will help solve once you get elected?See I went into the constituency where we already had a Sena MLA, we now also have a Sena MP and corporators. I went in because it is also a microcosm of India. It is the idea of India. Every religion, every caste, every creed, every person from all across the country whoever comes with a dream, a hope for himself or herself wanting a job, wanting to start a business comes and settles largely in that area, especially Worli. See the kind of work we have done here in the past five years—be it with the footpaths, open spaces, coordination we've had amongst every type of housing, you know, be it a slum, be it a Koliwada, be it a chawl, be it a high-rise society. It is a rapidly evolving constituency and looking forward, I have more in store. What are the two issues you were successfully able to solve for Worli in the last five years and what are the two you couldn’t?The two issues are pedestrian connectivity across Worli and minor spaces that were left out or in the dark that were not illuminated. We saw spaces that had become dump yards. We tried to convert those into active public spaces. Housing has been a major, major issue for us. As I said, a lot of our housing is at least 100 years old. In terms of the older buildings, they are undergoing revamp so that is where we are actively assisting them. Then BDD chawl is a huge project backed by our government, initiated 25 years ago and going back and forth. But, it was started in our term and now you'll see one tower which is almost ready and the handover will be done in the next two, three months. A lot of stuck SRA [Slum Rehabilitation Authority] projects have started off. In terms of going forward, we want two things: one is an integrated traffic management plan and this is something we couldn't really finish because the Worli-Sewri connector, which should have been finished by this government is only 57 per cent complete. When our government was toppled it was 48 per cent complete. Two, when we're looking at traffic management plans; you need to take the local shopkeepers, house owner, and stakeholders into confidence because they cannot be disrupted because of such management plans. I would definitely like to have active traffic management personnel/traffic police on all roads across Mumbai. Today, the fear of traffic police has eroded. The second thing we are actively working on is housing. We are also looking at actively creating a medical concierge for senior citizens where a GP [general practitioner] will be connected to every household and will be available via WhatsApp. Aaditya Thackeray Will this be unique to Worli or do you plan to expand it?This is for all of Mumbai, of course. Look at the healthcare services today in Maharashtra, the way they have crumbled, look at our medical colleges run by BMC or the government. Today doctors, resident doctors and nurses are giving their all. Still, they’re not being supported by the government. How did our medical infra crumble so fast? Only because of an incapable CM like Eknath Shinde. There are so many infrastructure projects coming up in Mumbai. What is your vision for Mumbai?Simple. Speak to Mumbai about Mumbai. Because primarily today if you see all the ALMs and citizen groups who is hearing their voice? Nobody. Who are hearing the urban planners and architects from the city or Pune, Nashik, Thane, Nagpur, Solar, Kolapur? Nobody. The government is just bringing its favourite contractors and implementing a contract. Left, right centre. They are taking money out of it with advanced funds but not really finishing any projects. Look at BEST, which is the backbone of Mumbai’s economic progress. When we were in power, we were looking increasing the fleet to 10,000 electric buses by 2027 without changing the fare structure. What has Eknath Shinde’s government done? Last year, it increased fares and now BEST buses have reduced from 3,500 to 2,500. Even though the ridership of BEST is 33 to 35 lakh—the undertaking moves an entire European country daily, it lacks adequate funds. The Delisle Road bridge is delayed because of a scam related to gravel. This Eknath Shinde-BJP government only believes in changing contractors and, of course, cost escalation so they benefit, but nowhere do they look at how to help the people. What we are looking at is apart from bigger projects, how do we go into the lanes and bylanes of any city, be it Mumbai, Pune, Thane, anywhere? You need walkability, pedestrian pathways and connectivity through gardens and open spaces. What about pet parks? What about safe schools? The Safe School project has been shut down by Eknath Shinde. Why? Its aim was to ensure the basic safety of boys and girls. You mentioned open spaces and you are a big fan of football, but there are few grounds to play the sport.We need to open up our open spaces. In our time we prevented mud playgrounds from being converted into artificial ones. We also prevented anyone from taking over open spaces. Yes, there will be rare instances where someone has encroached on a ground but we need to actively look at it. What I was also doing as a personal effort was break the walls of gardens and open spaces, maybe create grills. But you need to be able to see through that there is an open space. The reason why we feel there’s a dearth of open spaces in a city today is because there are walls. You can’t have an open space like a jail. You can't have an open space walled up. We need to prevent further encroachment or construction on open spaces because you can’t create another space. We had police patrolling back then, and watchmen from the BMC would protect these public spaces. We’ll have to start actually enforcing, anti-encroachment drives in open spaces. The Mumbai Climate Action Plan was one of your pet projects. Where are we now on it, according to you?In this government, it’s in the cold storage. I don’t think the goals that were set by our [MVA] government were too ambitious. You can reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and that is possible for Mumbai. Many other cities like Pune, Solapur and Nashik are going for a climate action plan. Unfortunately, this government is not keen on environmental discussion at all. For example, before preaching to you to buy an EV car, the government has to move towards an EV transition. The BEST fleet or any other one has to move towards an electric vehicle transition and that is what we were doing. For the past two years, in almost every lane you will find that garbage dumps are not being cleaned for days because there is no answerability as there is no elected official/representative in the BMC. If you come to power, what will you implement?The first thing that we will do when we come to power is take all the cities due for local body elections and urban local bodies to the polls. Whichever political party wins, you have to have elections. The people must have a voice. So many municipal corporations are due for elections. Are you in favour of a 24-hour Mumbai?Mumbai is a city that never sleeps or stops. One is talking about having an International Financial Centre; many sectors and service industries work 24/7. Eateries, cafés, gyms, spas, theatres and shops should be open round the clock at least in non-residential areas. What is one lesson from your late grandfather, Balasaheb Thackeray, that is helping you now in this climate of turbulence?Balasaheb was crystal clear in his thoughts. He always used to say if one believes what he is doing is right and doing it for the people, there is nothing to fear. Just do it. Another thing I learned is to keep evolving and voicing people’s issues. His ideology was actually very pragmatic. Your party is fielding a candidate in Mahim against your cousin Amit Thackeray of MNS…This is not a family battle. In terms of courtesy being extended, for the past 20 years, none of our family members has commented on others. This, despite the other side speaking negatively about us in the public domain—right from the 2014 election where the food served to my grandfather was mentioned in a public address. We have not been brought up to speak so crassly. This is the basic and biggest courtesy that we have offered. Do you think if it had been BJP leaders like Nitin Gadkari, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance would have never come to an end?The pre- and post-2014 BJP are different parties. The BJP has changed completely after 2014. Can anyone tell me who are the top five faces of the Maharashtra BJP? Where are BJP leaders like Vinod Tawde, Prakash Mehta, Gopal Shetty, Poonam Tai [Mahajan] and Pankaja Tai [Munde]? Original BJP karykartas are nowhere; it is those who have come from outside who have gained importance. Every party is in a hurry to announce sops, including MNS, which has announced more perks than the Mahayuti. Where will the money come from?A BJP leader told me that the current government had budgeted schemes for three months and has no backup plan. The current government plans to discontinue many sops as they have no backup plan to continue funding these schemes. But, the MVA has a plan that is sustainable for the next five years. Why oppose Adani and big infra projects?We are here to serve people and not work for the interests of Adani or contractors or BJP’s builders. Are you mentoring your younger brother Tejas who is travelling with Uddhav Thackeray for election rallies and campaigns?Not at all. In fact, I try to learn from him about how to find out if anyone is venomous or not. What is the message that you want to give to Sena (UBT) workers and voters?This is not a message for anyone in particular. But, the way Maharashtra is being looted to favour Gujarat, it is a battle for the pride of Maharashtra. 89,248Votes garnered by Aaditya Thackeray in 2019 ‘Metro 3 has so far ferried as many passengers as 23 BEST buses do in a month’ The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday posted on X, “Aqua Line 1st month: 6,33,209 passengers. Mumbaikars chose #MetroLine3 for daily commute, reduced traffic congestion & positively contributed to the environment.” Responding to this, Mumbai-based activist Zoru Bhathena tweeted, “One single BEST Bus transports about 900 people every single day. 23 BEST buses transport about 6.4 lakh passengers every single month. Mumbai Metro 3 Phase1 transported about 6.33 lakh passengers in its first month. Metro 3 Phase 1 Month 1 carried as many people as 23 BEST buses did.” Referencing the tweet, Thackeray said, “If you go by global standards, the best public transport is in London. They have rail, underground metro, buses, cabs and Ola and Uber. If you go by the ratio of the population that’s going to increase in Mumbai, we will need to increase the BEST fleet to 10,000 electric buses. Only then will public transport be used by people of all socioeconomic strata because it will be more comfortable and affordable; 900 electric buses give us the possibility to actually increase our capacity whenever we want to.”
09 November,2024 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav | Sanjeev ShivadekarAmid seizures by multiple law-enforcement agencies, the police alone have confiscated more than R48 crore in cash in the Mumbai, Palghar, Navi Mumbai, Mira Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) and Thane police commissionerates since the Model Code of Conduct came into force on October 15. Mumbai city and suburban districts collectively accounted for R18 crore. Multiple booths have been installed in Mumbai and adjacent districts where the electoral officials as well as police personnel check vehicles suspected to be carrying cash and incriminating materials ahead of state Assembly polls. The Maharashtra Police is said to have sent all the details to income tax officials for necessary legal action, according to a senior official from the police department. “No arrest has been made so far, but we informed the I-T officials after unaccounted cash was confiscated from certain individuals,” said a crime branch official from the MBVV police commissionerate. Cash being seized from suspicious vehicles ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls . Pics/Hanif Patel A senior officer in Mumbai police told mid-day that they have confiscated Rs 18 crore in unaccounted cash from different individuals ever since the MCC came into force. “Cash worth crores has been found in vans carrying money to ATMs of banks in the Nalasopara and Virar police station limits. R3.04 crore in cash was found in a cash van at Nalasopara West. A cash totalling Rs 2. 80 crore was found in a cash van within the Mandvi police station limits of Virar. Later, more cash worth R4 crore was found in the MBVV jurisdiction,” said the official. “As the rules regarding transporting cash prior to elections were not followed, the police seized the cash van and started an investigation,” the official said. A van carrying ATM money worth Rs 3.5 crore has been taken into custody by the local Crime Branch team officials. According to police officials, the ATM van had been carrying R3.5 crore, but they failed to produce an exact account, raising the suspicions of the police. The police are now investigating whether the money was for ATMs or was to be used for election campaigns. Further investigation is going on in the matter and the employees in the van are being interrogated. Yesterday, over Rs 2 crore was seized from an ATM van in the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC). “At around 11 am, a trap was laid in the vegetable market area of Virar West and the ATM van was seized,” said an official, requesting anonymity. “About R7.80 crore in cash had been seized in Nalasopara, Mandvi and Mira Road on Thursday,” said the official. The additional commissioner of the municipality, Ramesh Manale, said the people concerned did not have any official documents mentioning the amount seized. “The case has been handed over to the income tax department for further action,” said an official. “The action was taken by the team led by Benjamin Dabare and comprising Narendra Najri and police officer Anil Sonawane,” said the official. “On Thursday also R3.5 crore was found in Nalasopara itself while Rs 2.80 crore in Virarchamandvi and R1.47 crore was seized in Mira Road. Interestingly, all these unaccounted amounts were seized from banks’ ATM vans,” said an official. In Thane, flying squads have seized R13.29 crore in cash and goods to ensure fair elections, including 2,85,932 litres of illegal liquor. Since the model code of conduct came into effect ahead of the Assembly elections, flying squads in Thane district have confiscated cash and goods worth R13.s29 crore. This includes R8.82 crore in cash, along with gold and silver jewellery, and illegal liquor. Electoral officers stated that enforcement teams—comprising district nodal officers, constituency-based officers, flying squads, and surveillance teams—have been conducting vehicle checks. Over 65 checkpoints have been set up across the district, covering areas like Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, and rural regions. These teams, which include 62 flying squads and 111 additional teams, are inspecting suspicious vehicles at various locations throughout the city. Meanwhile, a senior police official from Palghar police said more than R7 crore has been seized after the MCC came into force. Suburban haul About Rs 51.10 crore in cash and incriminating materials have been seized from October 15 from the Mumbai Suburban district till date. The seizures were made by the state police department, income tax department, state excise department, Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Customs Department. 65No. of checkpoints set up across Thane district Rs 51.10 crValue of cash and incriminating materials seized in Mumbai Suburban district
09 November,2024 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma | Shirish VaktaniaA burgeoning population, development and rehabilitation projects that strain existing infrastructure, pollution, intermittent power and water cuts and lack of proper footpaths, roads, open spaces and entertainment hubs are some of the many issues plaguing the Mulund Assembly constituency. The constituency also has been in focus in the recent days due to residents angry against the influx and opposing Dharavi residents being rehabilitated in the east. While one proposed project involves handing over 64 acres of land to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project with 18 acres on the land of former octroi naka, another involves rehabilitation of slum dwellers on 46 acres of the old dumping ground and yet another one involves the construction of 7,439 tenements near Kelkar college for all project-affected people (PAP) across Mumbai. “Our demand is clear. Do not burden Mulund’s existing infrastructure. These projects will add more people and families to the suburb and will add pressure on the civic and other existing amenities in Mulund East and need to be stopped from coming up. So many PAPs cannot be shifted to one suburb. It is unjust and residents of Mulund have been protesting against this,” advocate Sagar Devre, the convenor of the resident movement, said. “Continuous construction activities have led to pollution concerns. There is constant noise and dust which is affecting residents’ health. The work goes on in the night and is endless. The trucks and concrete mixer trucks that move around further add to traffic problems on the narrow roads of Mulund. The traffic problems have heightened so much that during morning and evening hours, one can find a long line of vehicles waiting to enter and leave Mulund. This not only leads to loss of manhours but also time and fuel,” Akanksha Sethi, another resident, said. Chetan Bordawekar, honorary secretary of Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai/Suburbs, said, “Can you imagine, there is no petrol pump in the east? We have no choice but to go to the west to refuel our vehicles. Other issues that plague Mulund include a lack of coordination between the police, traffic division, BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] and other agencies, which has resulted in delays in the execution of projects in which two or more government agencies are involved. This is in addition to the undisciplined hawkers and parked vehicles on RRT Road in the west, resulting in very little space for pedestrians. Mulund East residents are afraid due to the rehabilitation project near Kelkar college.” 1,500Acres area of salt pan land in eastern suburbs opened up for rehabilitation of PAPs Mihir Kotecha BJP What are the local issues and what are your achievements so far?There is a PAP project coming up. We have done rigorous follow-ups. BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani has issued a directive stating that 4,400 units of PAP shall be used for the implementation of development projects within Mulund. In simple terms, 4,400 units have been reserved for PAPs. I have given a letter to the BMC chief and forest minister stating that 1,950 units at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mulund should be reserved for them. Then we have hardly 300-400 units left, which should be reserved for BMC staff quarters. But what about the issue of Dharavi PAPs being shifted here? Now, there is a directive and there is absolute clarity. What more clarification would be required?Mulund has major connectivity issues. The existing roads are jampacked and new roads and infra are required. The Metro passes through the west; there’s nothing much in the east. When we talk of Mulund East, I was following up on new connectivity from Eastern Express Highway towards Thane from the service road of the highway to Tata Colony. This connection has been approved and a work order has been issued. The government of India will soon approve the transfer of required land for this. This road will be functional by January 31. It will be a hassle-free trip soon there. In Mulund West, I have cleared two new DP roads, easing connectivity issues. In addition to this, 39 internal roads in Mulund will be concreted. The Metro and GMLR [Goregaon Mulund Link Road] are on schedule and three years from now, many of the connectivity issues in Mulund will be resolved. What about roads and pedestrian footpaths? Mulund has been getting crowded.The answer to this is the Metro. When the MVA [Maha Vikas Aghadi] government was in power, they stopped all the Metro works, which delayed the cycle. It would have taken care of all the problems of pedestrians and last-mile connectivity. It would have also taken care of overcrowding at the station. It did not happen. But finally, now, all the work is on schedule, and we shall see a change soon. What about the quality of life in Mulund?For entertainment and families, there is not much in Mulund except malls and Kalidas theatre. I have proposed a bird park (an aviary) at the cost of R80 crore on 4.5 acres of land. The proposal is being discussed at the Central Zoo Authority and consultants and the BMC are working on it. It is the first time since the setting up of the Byculla zoo by the British that such an initiative has been taken after independence. What about the rising AQI index of Mulund? Rising pollution is a serious problem here.Yes. When the MVA government was in power, the premium was reduced to 50 per cent, which led to a construction boom and a large number of developers rushed to Mulund. I had raised the issue in the House during the MVA regime. The Centre had allocated a sum of R3,000 crore for the Clean Air Programme. But the amount remained unused. A water crisis is staring at Mumbai and it needs urgent addressing. What are your plans?The last 30 years, Shiv Sena (UBT) has been ruling the BMC and they never planned for the rising population or the influx. There is a dire need to address the water issue, which will be taken up on priority. Rakesh Shetty Congress You are the only party contestant from northeast Mumbai. What are the local issues and what are your priorities?The main issue in Mulund is the Dharavi rehabilitation project. The government is giving out R1,500 under the Ladki Bahin scheme and giving out 1,500 acres of prime land to their favourite industrialist. This is the real face of the ruling government. Plots at multiple locations and all the salt pan land will be soon gone. We are going to take up this battle head-on and will oppose it tooth and nail. It is coming up on the old octroi and dumping ground plots and will add immense pressure on the existing amenities of Mulund. The existing civic infrastructure of Mulund is already under pressure and all this will put additional strain here and lead to collapse. There will be chaos. Currently, our infrastructure supports 3,00,000 people, but soon it will have to stretch to accommodate 6,00,000. This is simply unacceptable! Moreover, building on salt pan land will lead to complete flooding. It will be an environmental disaster and doom. It is the common citizens who will suffer due to all this. What are your ideas about the public amenities?The east and west are already under pressure because of ill-planned development. The infrastructure needs to catch up with the growing population and I will strive to make the best improvements possible, once I come to power. People are fed up with routine traffic jams and failing infrastructure. The public infrastructure is under much strain already. The east-west public foot overbridge at the railway station has been demolished since a few months ago and there is no sign of it being rebuilt. The public toilet block outside the station has also been removed and everyone is forced to use the one inside the station. These are basic essential amenities that the public requires and there is no one to question about their absence. The Mulund Assembly constituency What are your ideas about public infrastructure and transport services? The BEST is in decline and the Metro passes only through the west.Yes. There is a need to improve public transport and related infrastructure. Just see the plight of office-goers every day. Outside the station in the west, there is no space to walk or take your vehicle. It is chaotic during peak hours. Metro works have been going on for too long and there has been a demand for a station near R Mall and if elected, I will take up the issue in the House for a station there. V D Savarkar Hospital work has been going on for decades but has not yet been completed. I will ensure that the work gets completed on time and citizens get more upgraded facilities. There is also a need for more hospitals and medical centres in Mulund. Overall, there has been haphazard growth, which needs to be streamlined. Water supply, pollution and lack of open spaces and green cover are becoming major issues. As a Mumbai MLA, what initiative would you take?Yes. These are all citizen-centric issues I will be taking them up. Development of open and green spaces will remain a priority, and I will take up issues of water shortage and pollution in the House. Redevelopment is a common issue and Mulund has a number of new private as well as SRA schemes coming up. How do you intend to tackle the issue?Mulund has been a planned and organised suburb from the beginning. But with the spate of development and redevelopment, the face of Mulund is now changing. The issue of old pagdi and cessed buildings in Mulund has been vexed . A lot of redevelopment projects are stuck mid-way, which directly affects residents. There is an urgent need to intervene in these issues as it affects all residents directly. The present elected representatives seem to have sidestepped these issues. We shall work towards solving them. Citizen speak Bharat J Soni, Secretary, Hillside ResidentsWelfare Association, an NGO, said, “The key concerns are rehabilitation and infrastructure, health and environment, public transport, traffic and parking. A stop-work notice must be issued for the permanent transit camp work near Kelkar college and an interstate bus terminal should be established at the defunct octroi naka on LBS Marg and highway. The proposed rehabilitation of Dharavi project-affected people on salt pan land and the old octroi naka land will lead to waterlogging. Also, construction activities are causing noise and air pollution. BEST bus stops have waiting time of 20 to 25 minutes, and the frequency on route no. 401 from Mulund to Shree Nagar, Thane is zero. Routine traffic jams occur at R Mall junction, and tourist and school buses are parked illegally. Our sitting MLA claims Dharavikars won’t impact Mulund, but hundreds of acres have been allocated for resettlement on salt pans, which will affect Nahur and Mulund.” Nirmal Thakkar, Activist“Unlike in the old days, the population of Mulund is slowly increasing. With this growth comes the problem of congestion. Visit any arterial road; there is so much crowding and traffic, mostly because of hawkers taking over. Mulund also needs new roads and infrastructure. The lack of open spaces and entertainment halls also needs to be addressed. We need more green spaces. Metro work, which has been going on for a while along LBS Marg needs to be completed fast. Elected representatives must take up these issues.”
09 November,2024 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA clean sweep Groundsmen clear the dust off the pitch during the second day of a Mumbai vs Odisha Ranji Trophy match at MCA ground in BKC. Pic/Atul Kamble Starry breakfast in Bandra Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma pose with the team at the Bandra eatery Celebrity-spotting at Bandra’s F&B outlets is as predictable as day turning to night. Joining the list most recently was popular breakfast eatery, Benne where starry couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma had dropped by to enjoy breakfast at their 16th Road address. The benne dosa was the first item they ordered, “Anushka got the benne masala dosa, while Virat ate the podi benne dosa. Anushka said it brought back childhood memories of her home in Bengaluru,” shared Akhil Iyer, the eatery’s co-founder. The couple also ordered thatte idli, Mangalore buns, and vegan filter coffee. “The team was pleasantly surprised, but eventually relaxed, and remained professional throughout,” Iyer revealed. The pair posed for photos with the team while Kohli signed Iyer’s cap. Marbled memories For archivist Candida Remedios, it was a typical day visiting a church until she stumbled upon a gravestone (inset) with a most intriguing name. Although written in Marathi, the epitaph had an East Indian connection to it. “I was in Giriz (St Francis Xavier’s Church, Vasai) for an event, and was strolling in the church grounds when I spotted this gravestone. I have been noticing the interesting ‘Marathi-fication’ of Anglican names, in some parish graveyards. ‘Blanche’ becomes ‘Bilanshi’, while ‘Francis’ becomes ‘Farshya’,” Remedios shared. When we broached the topic of what piqued her interest in epitaphs, she replied, “My fascination comes from the fact that so much can be packed in a little marble plaque. It also shows how the names in the local community dialect can be preserved in stone for posterity.” Advent’s here! An advent box from the past edition containing seasonal goodies; (right) Gauri Devidayal The whiff of Yuletide goodies has begun, courtesy Mag St Bakery & Restaurant with the launch of their sixth annual Christmas Advent calendar. Patrons who’ve signed up will receive freshly baked treats at their homes every day for 25 days, in either egg or eggless options. It will feature sweet and savoury fare, along with Christmas merchandise. “We wanted to build up the excitement for Christmas, and for people to wake up to goodies, or enjoy it with their tea. We wanted to showcase the wide variety and have tried our best to accommodate everyone’s location and time preferences while delivering orders,” shared founder Gauri Devidayal. To know more, check out foodmatters.in Local train turns into DJ zone DJ Dhiraaj in a moment from his set Borivli to Bandra, on the train It isn’t a usual day when you board your regular local and notice fellow commuters grooving to a DJ set. That’s exactly what happened when DJ Dhiraaj Doriwala brought his system to the Churchgate-bound local. He performed his set, Borivli to Bandra, for the rest in the compartment. “Local trains are Mumbai’s lifeline. Countless people board them every day en route to work, and back. I recall commuting from Borivli to Churchgate for the longest time. And the interesting thing is, so many people do such entertaining things in the local train. Bhajan mandalis and local singers perform regularly, so I thought why not put up a DJ set too,” he told this diarist. Doriwala’s mixtape recently dropped on YouTube and contains an interesting medley of songs, from desi hip-hop artistes like Bharg and Chaar Diwaari, to Kanye (aka Ye) and Bollywood favourites like Bluffmaster’s Right Here, Right Now. “I wanted to highlight Indian independent music through this performance and draw attention to artistes like us,” Doriwala explained. When Shashi called the shots Feroz Abbas Khan (left) and Shashi Kapoor. PIc Courtesy/Prithiv Archives Remember that iconic cricket match from 1983? Not the one you’re thinking about. Theatre maker Feroz Abbas Khan gave us a throwback to a star-studded match played at the Khar Gymkhana in 1983, where actor Shashi Kapoor donned the captain’s hat and cricketing legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi stood in as the umpire. “The match was played during the first edition of the Prithvi Festival [headed by Khan]. We decided to pit Kapoor’s filmwallahs against my squad of theatrewallahs for a friendly game,” Khan recalled, adding that the matches soon became an annual ritual, later joined by familiar faces like cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. “It played into the theatre versus film rivalry. The likes of theatremaker Dinesh Thakur would join in with hilarious running commentary. It was a breath of fresh air between the hectic festival work,” he recalled.
09 November,2024 06:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for November 9. Aries March 21 – April 20A relationship passing through a gamut of emotions settles down and then gets stirred up again. A project doesn’t make sense. Cosmic tip: Behave in the manner you expect others to reciprocate towards you. Taurus April 21 – May 20Diversifying the present business is sometimes a ‘yes’ and sometimes a ‘no’. Leave it be for now till there’s clarity. Cosmic tip: Be aware if you want to make sure nothing is stolen from you. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Purchasing some white goods for the family home is revealed. Plans for a short holiday may be scrapped. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Consult a doctor even if you have just a cold. Cancer June 22 – July 23A new project/ assignment is slightly complicated and make take several meetings before a plan of action is put into place. Don’t be impatient.Cosmic tip: Consciously incur positive karmas to win brownie points. Leo July 24 - Aug 23It’s quite alright to say you don’t have the time or can’t pass on a message. It’s better to refuse outright.Cosmic tip: Use freedom as an opportunity to do what is right. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A trip out of town was a catalyst for a change (a positive one). There’s an interesting closure of an issue. Cosmic tip: Appreciate life in all its glorious colours, even the greys and browns. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Profits increase, especially if self-employed. A cousin phones with some interesting news. Keep regret away by practising gratitude at all times of the day. Cosmic tip: Invest in property, making use of this auspicious time. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22A karmic cycle for a new relationship to commence begins. This is a good time to review lifestyle, making positive changes.Cosmic tip: Use an opportunity today to build the tomorrow you plan. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22The past has value, but only for the lessons it carried. Use that to build the kind of today you want. A project has a sober beginning.Cosmic tip: Get enough rest and sleep. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Take the time needed to prepare for important meetings since most of them have reached a crucial point in negotiations. Avoid driving if tired.Cosmic tip: Be aware that growth and comfort don’t co-exist. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19The day is relaxed as no deadlines approach for a while. Lunch with the team is a continuation of work. Cosmic tip: Think before speaking about someone not present in the group. Avoid gossiping. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20A family celebration is planned in detail. Handling professional equations with care is something learnt the hard way over time. Cosmic tip: Enjoy this karmic justice as the universe repays you for past positive karma.
09 November,2024 12:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseCentral Railway on Friday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will operate mega block on its suburban sections to carry out various engineering and maintenance works on Sunday. In an official statement, the Central Railway, Mumbai Division said that the mega block will be operated on November 10 and shared the details of the train operations. Matunga-Mulund up and down fast lines from 11.05 am to 3.05 pm Down fast line services departing CSMT Mumbai from 10.25 am to 2.45 pm will be diverted on down slow at Matunga halting as per their respective halts between Matunga and Mulund station and will arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule. Fast trains beyond Thane will be re-diverted on down fast line at Mulund station UP fast line services departing Thane from 10.50 am to 3.00 pm will be diverted on UP slow line at Mulund, halting as per their respective halts between between Mulund and Matunga stations and will be re-diverted on UP fast line at Matunga station and will arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule UP and down Harbour lines between CSMT and Chunabhatti / Bandra from 11.10 am to 4.40 pm Down Harbour line services to Vashi /Nerul/Panvel departing CSMT from 11.16 am to 4.47 pm and down services to Bandra / Goregaon departing CSMT from 10.22 am to 4.43 pm will remain cancelled UP Harbour line services from Panvel/Belapur/Vashi for CSMT departing Panvel from 9.53 am to 3.20 pm and UP services from Goregaon / Bandra for CSMT departing Bandra from 10.45 am to 5.13 pm will remain cancelled. However, Special services will run between Panvel-Kurla-Panvel during the block period. Harbour line passengers are permitted to travel via Main Line and Western line stations from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, the Central Railway said on Friday. Western Railway to operate jumbo block between Mahim and Goregaon on Sunday Western Railway on Friday said that it will operate a jumbo block between Mahim and Goregaon stations on Sunday. In an official statement, the Western Railway said that to carry out maintenance work of tracks, signalling and overhead equipment, a jumbo block of five hours from 11.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs will be taken on up and down harbour lines between Mahim and Goregaon stations on Sunday, November 10. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the block period, all Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) - Bandra - CSMT and CSMT/Panvel - Goregaon – CSMT/Panvel Harbour train services of Central Railway and some of the Churchgate - Goregaon - Churchgate slow services will remain cancelled.
08 November,2024 09:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTaking its transformative plan further, the iconic South Mumbai school, known as one of India’s most esteemed Jesuit institutions with a rich legacy, is set to welcome girl students, ending its eight-decade tradition as an "all-boys" school. Campion School, Fort, has officially announced this landmark change, along with its commitment to adopt an international curriculum. Starting in the 2025-26 academic year, the premier institution will transition to a co-educational model while gradually shifting from the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) curriculum to an international framework. According to a press statement from the school, these strategic changes align with Campion's vision of expanding educational opportunities and preparing students for the demands of an increasingly globalised, fast-evolving world. The decision, made after careful research and consultation, reflects the school’s dedication to supporting both the academic and personal growth of its students, the statement read further. Transition to Co-Education In a move toward greater inclusivity, Campion School will welcome both male and female students, beginning with the lower grades and eventually encompassing all levels. The shift to co-education aims to foster an environment of diversity, promoting collaboration, mutual respect, and preparing students for the diverse dynamics they will encounter beyond school. Shift to an International Curriculum Replacing the ICSE curriculum, Campion School will introduce an international curriculum renowned for its emphasis on critical thinking, global perspectives, and holistic development. This curriculum aligns with global standards while respecting local values, offering students a balanced education that prepares them to excel in an interconnected world. Fr. Dr. John Rose - Chairperson of the Council of Management of the school, highlighting the long-term benefits of these changes stated: “As a Jesuit Institution, Campion School has always been dedicated to creating responsible and thoughtful citizens. By adopting an international curriculum and embracing co-education, we are equipping our students with an education that is both relevant and rigorous. This is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future for all students.” Sharing his enthusiasm for this transformative chapter, the principal of the school Fr. Dr. Francis Swamy said, “Our shift to co-education and an international curriculum reflects our commitment to evolving with the times. We are thrilled to be opening our doors to young minds from all walks of life, united by a passion for learning, the desire to build a better future, and a dedication to nation-building. This will not only broaden our student community but also enrich the learning experience for every Campionite.” Campion is renowned for its illustrious alumni from various fields, which includes prominent personalities such as Ratan Tata, Niranjan Hiranandani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Shashi Tharoor, and the Kapoor brothers—Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor, among others. As Campion School embraces this significant transformation, it remains committed to its tradition of academic excellence, core values, and strong community spirit. The school administration, faculty, and staff are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition, maintaining the high standards that Campion School has long been known for, school authorities stated. The school’s initiative has also garnered support from the alumni community. The Old Campionites Association (OCA), the school’s alumni network, has collaborated closely with the school management to carefully plan and implement changes. Dhiraj Mehra, President of the Old Campionites' Association (OCA) and a member of Campion’s Class of 1990, praised the school’s forward-thinking approach. He said: “Campion has always been a pioneer in quality education. As an alumnus, I am incredibly proud to see these changes, which reflect Campion’s vision and commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals. Our graduates are already making their mark worldwide, and this shift will further strengthen the school’s legacy and relevance on the global stage.”
08 November,2024 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghPramod Mahajan's brother Prakash on Friday said the government must find out the truth behind the late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart's murder. The statement of Prakash, who is now a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader, came after former Member of Parliament (MP) and Mahajan's daughter Poonam, while speaking to a news channel, said the gunning down of her father was a conspiracy. Mahajan, one of BJP's key strategists at the time, was shot at by his younger brother Pravin in his Mumbai home on April 22, 2006. He died in a hospital on May 3 the same year. In 2010, Pravin died of a heart attack while out on parole. "I don't know the circumstances in which Poonam Mahajan has made this claim. This is not the time to raise this question, but it might give mileage to a TV programme. Poonam Mahajan knows better as I stayed here and was unaware of the happenings (at the time). If it is a conspiracy, then it is a big loss to the family," the MNS leader to PTI. "If anything has happened, it must come out. Pramod Mahajan was a big leader of the party in power today. The party (BJP) should find out the truth. If I come to know who is behind this conspiracy, I will not spare him," Prakash added. 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.
08 November,2024 06:23 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIAhead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, the Congress party is set to hold a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday to counter the "Congress has failed to deliver on its promises", allegations made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), news agency ANI reported. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Congress to hold press conference in Mumbai The conference will feature Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states, including Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh, Revanth Reddy of Telangana, and DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: PM Modi's attack on Congress This move comes in response to recent criticisms from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who accused the Congress of making empty promises during election campaigns. The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Modi stated in a series of posts, "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy, but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign, they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver." The Prime Minister further alleged that Congress-ruled states like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana were experiencing deteriorating developmental trajectories and fiscal health. He urged the public to be wary of what he called the "Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises", citing Haryana's recent election results as evidence of people rejecting Congress. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Congress president fires back! In response, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge fired back on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt!" he wrote in his post. Kharge accused the BJP government of engaging in PR stunts and misleading the public about their achievements and plans. .@narendramodi ji, Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt! Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024 you had also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road… — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 1, 2024 He further stated, “Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024, you also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road map for 2047. RTI filed in PMO declined to put forth details, exposing your LIES!" Kharge posted on X. Kharge also raised questions about various issues facing the country, including unemployment, paper leaks in job exams, privatisation of PSUs, declining household savings, and rising food prices. He further criticised the government's economic policies, particularly the implementation of GST on essential food items. His post further read, "Why is India's Unemployment Rate at a 45-year high? Why are stampedes witnessed wherever there are vacancies for a handful of jobs? Who is responsible for 70 paper leaks in 7 years? Who snatched 5 Lakh Govt jobs by selling stake in PSUs?" Maharashtra assembly elections will be held on November 20, while results will be declared on November 23. (With inputs from ANI)
08 November,2024 06:04 PM 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.”
08 November,2024 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghCongestion, lack of connectivity, overcrowding, narrow roads, rising dust and pollution, incomplete infrastructure upgrades, and unfinished redevelopment projects—the Kurla Assembly constituency is a crucible of chaos, blending old and new. It is one of the six Assembly segments of the Mumbai North Central Parliamentary seat and comprises two civic wards, L and M, including areas like Kurla East and West, Chunabhatti, Tilak Nagar and parts of Chembur. The constituency has around 2,97,000 voters, with the main contest this time between two Shiv Sainiks: two-time sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mangesh Kudalkar from Shinde Sena (Shiv Sena) and former corporator Pravina Morajkar from Uddhav Sena (Shiv Sena-UBT). Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Pravina Morajkar during her campaign; (right) Shinde Sena candidate Mangesh Kudalkar. Pics/Rajesh Gupta One of the constituency's key issues is overcrowding amid inadequate infrastructure. Multiple towers are coming up, and with a growing population, the area faces increased strain without a parallel expansion of civic amenities, leading to narrow roads, congestion, and connectivity issues. Recently, one of the pressing concerns raised by Kurla East residents has been the government’s plan to relocate Dharavi’s project-affected people to an empty plot in Kurla East, sparking local ire. Shiv Sena's Kudalkar has represented the constituency for the last two terms. Residents have also started a citizens’ movement, termed ‘Lok Chalwal,’ aiming to preserve the old Kurla government milk dairy land for a garden and recreation ground to maintain greenery and open space. mid-day first reported on the Kurla residents’ movement for green space in February 2024. The 10.4-hectare land, formerly used by the government milk dairy at Nehru Nagar Kurla, has been lying unused since the dairy shut down nearly a decade ago. Strategically located along the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, LTT Kurla Terminus, Mumbai Metro Yellow Line 2B, and the harbour line of the suburban railway, the land was initially earmarked by MMRDA for a mixed-use development plan similar to BKC, but plans shifted to using it for Dharavi rehabilitation. “One of the main issues in areas like Chembur and Pestom Sagar is high pollution, an age-old problem that needs immediate attention. Politicians should tackle such issues proactively instead of waiting for complaints—it affects everyone,” said Rajan Shewar, a Chembur resident. In areas like Tilak Nagar and Sahakar Nagar, small buildings are transforming into high-rise towers, creating a nearly new township and straining civic amenities. “This was a large colony for a limited population. Now, the same number of buildings has turned into towers, tripling the population and visibly adding pressure,” said resident Ranjan Sudam Jadhav. Slum dwellers and those living in hillside areas like Qureshi Nagar, Kasaiwada and Alidada Estate—older slum pockets now under SRA projects—report a need for better connectivity. “Our small houses have become big towers, but there’s no connectivity here. We need autos and buses,” said Mohammad Ansari, another resident. Kurla has a growing issue of insufficient civic infrastructure and amenities. The lack of these amenities is also leading to safety issues. What do you have to say about it?Yes, Kurla is in disarray. New colonies have been built, but there are no amenities and no streetlights, leading to safety issues for women. In many places, there aren’t even proper roads. It’s a dire situation. What are the local issues you would prioritise?I was the corporator for this area and also chaired the civic health committee. Many issues have remained unresolved for years. The sitting MLA has served two terms but hasn’t fully addressed these problems. I want to bring about real change and solve people’s problems. There is increasing congestion, and many local issues need attention.Yes, many issues affecting poorer residents remain incomplete. Take Thakkar Bappa Colony, for example. It’s a colony of leather workers located near the Eastern Express Highway. If you visit, you’ll see the terrible conditions—no roads, no upgrades, no infrastructure. Many residents have contracted diseases like tuberculosis due to the poor conditions. The area has become unlivable. Recently, the chief minister claimed that R2,000 crore had been spent on this constituency. Is that a joke? Where has that money gone, given the state of the colonies here? The constituency has serious connectivity issues. What is being done to improve that?Yes, connectivity is lacking, and growth hasn’t matched the population increase. Commuters struggle daily; there’s no space, and no new roads have been built. Cars are parked haphazardly, and roads are disappearing. Visit any major cluster, and you’ll see the problem. This needs to change. Once we’re elected on November 20, Uddhav-ji and Aaditya-ji’s vision will bring significant improvements for the common man. Water shortages are affecting the constituency. As an MLA for Mumbai, what steps would you take to address this issue?The water problem is pressing. We raised it at the municipal level, but it requires a city-wide approach. Once elected, I will take up this issue and bring it to the legislature. Mangesh Kudalkar Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) What are the local issues that you would prioritise? And what are your achievements so far?I have been living here since birth and have a special bond with the area. I’ve been addressing local issues not only in my two terms as MLA but since my youth. Key issues I’ve tackled include compensation for Swadeshi Mill workers, MHADA issues, and resolving problems on collector land in Pestom Sagar and Chembur, which remains on my priority list. Kurla has a growing issue of lacking civic infrastructure and amenities falling short. This shortage is also leading to safety issues. What do you have to say about it?I have proposed an upgrade for Kurla station to the Central government, with work expected to begin by March-April 2025. This will provide a major boost to civic amenities near the station. Several other upgrade projects are underway, each progressing at different stages. The constituency has significant connectivity issues. What is being done to alleviate that?In Kurla East, we are constructing a SATIS project, approved by the chief minister’s office, and a flyover over the Chunabhatti level crossing. A new link bridge at the connector’s landing has also been proposed to improve connectivity for Kurla. The Metro is a new project coming to Kurla. However, there seems to be a lack of stations. The gap between Kurla railway and Metro stations is large. Will the Metro be beneficial to Kurla residents?Yes, it will. I will advocate for more Metro stations in Kurla. An earlier plan included a station on SG Barve Marg, but that location is too congested and would create issues. I promise to revisit this and push for a solution. The growing constituency is facing water shortage issues. Water supply is a key issue—what actions would you take to improve the situation as an MLA for Mumbai?Water is indeed an emerging concern. I’ve been discussing this with the BMC commissioner and preparing for future water needs. A plan to replace all pipelines over 50 years old is also being developed. Pollution is another pressing issue. What are your thoughts?Yes, I am committed to developing a botanical garden in Kurla, which will create a large green space in the constituency. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has publicly committed to this project, and I will ensure it comes to fruition. Redevelopment puts pressure on existing amenities. Are SRA schemes necessary?Yes, but too many projects start at once and are left incomplete. My priority now is to ensure that all new and redeveloped buildings in Kurla receive proper Occupation Certificates. CitizenSpeak Kiran Pailwan, resident"The plot has about 800-900 trees. Instead of building a cement forest on the site of the old Mother Dairy, our movement is working to gather the strength of public cooperation to create a beautified park for the health of Nehru Nagar residents. The aim is to make our neighbourhood greener together. Kurla East is now overcrowded, with a lack of green or open spaces. Our petition is solely to save this open, green space," said Kiran Pailwan, one of the residents spearheading the agitation. Jitendra Gupta, citizen activistOther issues plaguing the constituency in Kurla West include poor connectivity and congestion. “The older roads are insufficient. Kurla West is crowded and congested, with no space to walk. The new Metro line does not have enough stations in Kurla East, and the West has connectivity issues. There is no direct access from LBS Road to the station—one must take a detour via the LTT. It’s an example of complete lack of planning,” said citizen activist Jitendra Gupta.
08 November,2024 05:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
