Prtithviraj Chavan holds meeting with Mumbai legislators

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday held a marathon meeting with legislators from Mumbai to discuss various city issues.

During the 7-hour meeting, Chavan said that he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and union textile, environment and health ministers to expedite implementation of various projects in Mumbai, official sources said.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde stressed the need for a solution to the ban on holding political and social functions at Shivaji Park ground.

He also called for the need for coordination between civic agencies.

Congress MLA from Byculla Madhu Chavan demanded that subways be constructed near the flyovers from Byculla to Lower Parel.

Vinod Ghosalkar, Sena MLA from Dahisar, said there are 26 MLAs from suburban Mumbai, but the funds under the District Planning Funds had been reduced from Rs 180 crore to Rs 118 crore. Ghosalkar demanded expediting of the construction of service road from Bandra to Dahisar on the western express highway to ease the traffic congestion during peak hours.

Vile Parle MLA Krishna Hegde insisted that the people living on the airport periphery be rehabilitated on the Airport land, on the space being carved out for Non Aeronautical purpose.

He said MP Priya Dutt and he had opposed the MMRDA plan to build 5-Star hotels and malls there.

Hegde also pointed out the irregularities in the SRA schemes and said the quality of construction of Rehab buildings should be on par with those which are built for sale. The MLA also stressed the need for coastal road around Mumbai.