Growth in Bhiwandi is marked with VIP visits

The residents of Bhiwandi are a happy lot and are eagerly waiting for another VIP visit. Since the last visit by vice president Hamid Ansari in November and All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice president Rahul Gandhi a fortnight ago, the face of the city has changed completely. All the pending infrastructure work is now complete, thanks to the visits.

A fortnight ago, the Gandhi scion visited Bhiwandi's Sonale village for a political rally. All the roads leading to the grounds were cleared and construction completed for the occasion. "We were told that the Congress leader will visit our houses in the village and hence the authorities started clearing the roads of all mud and dirt. We have never seen our village kept so neat by the authorities and are happy that he came here, although he did not visit our village. Access to our houses through proper roads have been made available," said Rakesh Daund, a resident of Sonale Village, Bhiwandi.

Another resident Pravin Taware said, "Few months back there was a politician who visited Rais High School. For his arrival, the construction work near Samad Nagar was completed quickly. A huge crowd had gathered at the school as it was the first visit by a politician of this stature in Bhiwandi. The security arrangements and the cleanliness left us amazed." This was the visit of vice president Hamid Ansari for the silver jubilee celebrations of GM Momin School.

As he was accompanied by other dignitaries like chief minister Prithviraj Chauhan and governor K Sankaranarayanan, the grandeur of the occasion was immense. The residents are happy not only because Bhiwandi is being noticed by these politicians but also as their living conditions have been improved.

"We hope Gandhi and other politicians of this stature keep visiting Bhiwandi. This will help the infrastructure of this small city intact. We are surprised that it is only the politicians' visits that can give us these privileges," said Malhar Patil, another resident.

P Velrasu, Thane district collector, said, "It was just coincidence that these projects came to an end around the visit of these leaders. Development of the district is of utmost importance and there are certain precautions due to security measures that need to be taken when such important dignitaries visit our district."