MP Rahul Shewale aims for 'smart' Mumbai South Central

Mumbai, which contributes a bulk of the Centre's tax revenues, deserves a better deal in terms of special packages to boost infrastructure and implement the city's development plan (DP) drawn up by the civic body, feels Mumbai South Central MP Rahul Shewale (46).

The second-term MP, who defeated Eknath Gaikwad of the Congress, claims he will work on boosting the leather industry in Dharavi and add capacity on the overburdened suburban Railway network. Edited excerpts from an interview with DNA's Dhaval Kulkarni:

What are your achievements in your first term and your agenda for the years ahead?

Redevelopment and infrastructure top my agenda. This is linked to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) development plan (DP). Implementation of the DP will help the development of areas like Dharavi, BDD chawls and the refugee colonies, apart from slum development projects.

I will also work on resolving issues linked to transport, connectivity, extension of the Mumbai-Pune express highway to Mankhurd, the Mankhurd-Ghatkopar elevated corridor and the Chunabhatti-BKC-Airport bridge. Metro projects will be completed and the MUTP III-A and CST-Panvel elevated corridor will also be implemented. I have plans to develop my constituency as a 'smart constituency.' Implementing the DP will also ensure that the city gets adequate public and open spaces.

The leather industry in Dharavi provides direct and indirect employment to thousands but has been dealt a blow due to cheaper alternatives, demonetisation and the ban on slaughter of bullocks. How do you plan to revive it?

I am already working on this with the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. A 'Made in Dharavi' brand has also been registered in association with Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI). We plan to take these products to national and international markets through the central and state governments.

The sentiment is that Mumbai does not get its due despite contributing a major share of direct and indirect taxes to the exchequer…

We will seek a special package to implement the DP for Mumbai. The BMC needs around Rs 14,600 crore for implementing the DP but has been able to provide for just Rs 3,400 crore in the budget. The Centre must announce a special package for Mumbai considering that it contributes 30% of its (Centre's) incomes. This improvement in infrastructure will also boost tax collections.

The redevelopment of Dharavi has been pending for long…

The tenders have been done, only the work orders remain.

Residents of areas like Chembur and Mankhurd complain of respiratory illnesses and other problems due to the presence of polluting industries in the region.

Talks are underway for the past two years with refineries in areas like Chembur. They are taking the necessary precautions and measures and have drawn up an action plan.

The load on the Railway network in your constituency is increasing, yet capacity addition does not seem to be commensurate.

The MUTP III-A project will ease the pressure so will the introduction of nine and 15 rake trains. Air conditioned locals will be launched on the harbour line.