Here is the long and short of what April 29, 2019, means to Mumbai — the city’s plaguing issues and the candidates’ take on them. DNA urges each and every Mumbaikar to go out there and make a difference
About 96 lakh registered voters, 139 candidates, and six seats. Come Monday and Maximum City will cast its ballot to partake in the world’s largest democratic exercise at daybreak. While educational qualifications or professional capacity of the candidates are not looked at, anyone from a tailor to a construction worker or even a bishop and a former Bollywood actress are all in the race for those limited seats. And yet, despite the supernumerary issues – like excessive dumping, improper waste and sewage management, infrastructure failures, slums – that never cease to exist, the tenacious candidates insist they will make a difference this time around.
Ironically, while many candidates have harped about jobs and cleanliness, no one has gone the whole hog to promise ‘security.’ Mumbai has possibly seen the most ghastly terror attacks in the country yet its bases are hardly covered, as we have seen with every attack.
Agreed, Mumbai is considered a far safer city for women thatn many other metros but efforts need to be put in to maintain it. Commuting is another issue mostly overlooked by the candidates. With infrastructure falling apart, commuting is a nightmare, leave alone the jammed roads and crumbling public transport services.
Statistical analysis by not-for-profit organisation MumbaiVotes.com shows Mumbai North and Thane as the worst performing constituencies, where the most number of candidates had not completed their matriculation examination. The constituency with the highest number of candidates with criminal cases was Mumbai North East (8) followed by North West (6).
Yet, despite the bleakness, Mumbaikars need to step out and get inked, fighting the heat and the urge to stay home, while praying for a better tomorrow. For those who have curbed the urge to take off on a long recess (with April 29, flanked by bank holidays) this is a chance to make a difference. Change, is best when it starts from home.
Inputs by: Dhaval Kulkarni; Naveeta Singh; Shailendra Paranjpe; Sanjay Jog; Sudhir Suryavanshi
Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: The all-pervasive blitzkreig of social media
1. Mumbai North
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Problems:
Housing, traffic woes and congestion are the main concerns for residents of Mumbai North. While local trains are operating at their optimum, the magnitude of passengers on a daily basis is too much to bear. Transgression of infra-projects into green belts and mangroves leave environmental activists exasperated. Even today, many slum areas are deprived of drinking water.
Contenders:
BJP - Gopal Shetty, I have proposed door closing local trains, which would prevent accidents of commuters.
Cong - Urmila Matondkar, I would try to bring about change and I believe that transformation can be brought about. My work will talk for itself.
2. North east
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Problems:
Traffic snarls due to construction of the metro rail corridor while closure of the health hazard Deonar dumping ground still looms. Redevelopment of slums that are sprawling unabated, while encroachment issues on areas under mangrove plantation still persist. Lacking policy decision on the salt pans development has become a political pitch.
Contenders:
BJP - Manoj Kotak, Better connectivity to metro stations and Navi Mumbai airport and closure of Deonar dumping ground.
NCP - Sanjay Patil, I will line up these medical facilities and construction of five lakh homes on salt pans will be expedited.
3. North west
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Problems:
From rehabilitation of slums to rejuvenation of the Mithi river project, the issues here are endless. Relocating buffalo stables, widening of Mulund Goregaon link road, the Aarey metro shed construction and conservation of Aarey forest land, water shortage, traffic congestion due to metro construction work are the other persistent issues of this constituency.
Contenders:
Cong - Sanjay Nirupam, This constituency needs an energetic face. I will focus on major issues while also developing the infrastructure.
Shiv Sena - Gajana Kirtikar, People of this constituency know me very well. I have brought many projects and schemes to this constituency.
4. North central
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Problems:
Old fishing village gaothans, the entertainment industrywalas, tony high rises, while on the other hand, all sitting choc-a-bloc with sizeable huge slum pockets, which have strong North Indian and Muslim presence. The large tracts of the airport periphery here are seen as extremely sensitive zones as the flight paths into the city begin right between the slums.
Contenders:
BJP - Poonam Mahajan, I will ensure completion of all transportation projects and speedy allotment of houses to airport slum-dwellers.
Cong - Priya Dutt, Basic issues to be addressed like food availability, cleaning the gutters. I will focus more on this when I come to power.
5. Mumbai south
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Problems:
Redevelopment of old, dilapidated buildings and chawls, many of which are cessed. Redevelopment of slums and Koliwadas, including those affected by CRZ rules. Lack of adequate open spaces. Poor quality water supply in some areas. Lack of road infrastructure and parking space, this is compounded by huge floating population. Pollution by gold smelting units at Kalbadevi.
Contenders:
Shiv Sena - Arvind Sawant, I will ensure classical language status for Marathi, protecting tenants on Mumbai Port Trust land.
Cong - Milind Deora, I will ensure 500 sqft homes to all tenants in old buildings that undergo redevelopment.
6. South Central
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Problems:
The leather industry in Dharavi has been affected by the 2015 ban on slaughter of bullock, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation. Slum rehabilitation and redevelopment of chawls and old and dilapidated buildings, some of which have been affected by CRZ rules. Rising pressure on railway infrastructure with capacity addition being poor.
Contenders:
Shiv Sena - Rahul Shewale: To ensure all-round development of Mumbai, we need to implement BMC’s development plan that I will work towards.
Cong - Eknath Gaikwad: I will ensure slum-dwellers are rehabilitated in 500 sqft houses. I will push for State and Central government jobs.
7. Thane
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Problems:
Thane district does not have a dam as a result people face water cuts more than six months a year. The current dumping ground is exhausted and does not have enough capacity for the ever increasing garbage. Thane residents have to pay toll at almost five entry-exit points to the city. There is a rise in pollution due to increased urbanisation as trees are cut mercilessly.
Contenders:
NCP - Anand Paranjape: When voted to power NCP will work toward getting the Shai dam sanctioned so that water woes are taken care of.
Shiv Sena - Rajan Vichare: My focus will be on timely completion of Navi Mumbai airport and launch of Navi Mumbai metro rail.
