In the midst of municipal elections in Maharashtra, the stage is set for 'Mumbai Manthan'. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended this flagship event organized by Aaj Tak. He reignited the decades-old debate by stating that Mumbai's traffic is better than Delhi's. Opinions may vary, but Fadnavis was candid while speaking from Aaj Tak’s platform.
He asserted that traffic conditions in Mumbai are significantly better than those in Delhi. Mumbai’s residents exhibit discipline and patiently follow traffic rules. Fadnavis emphasized that in Mumbai, lane breaking is unheard of. Citizens patiently wait their turn. He also pointed out that in Delhi, vehicles are often seen dented and congested, whereas such scenes are absent in Mumbai.
Fadnavis outlined the Maharashtra government's initiatives ranging from suburban railways to metro systems to improve Mumbai's traffic infrastructure. He talked about developing a unified travel app for seamless transit. A system has been established where any public transport can be accessed with a single ticket. Fadnavis mentioned that 80% of Mumbai's traffic utilizes the Western Expressway.
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He detailed plans for alleviating traffic congestion, stating the creation of a parallel loop line to the Western Expressway. Efforts to connect the Atal Setu with tunnels are underway. Initiatives to start water transport are in progress, aiming to fully integrate Mumbai's transportation system. On slum redevelopment, he revealed the beginnings of Dharavi's transformation, aiming to resettle 1 million people, instilling hope that progress is indeed possible.
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Fadnavis announced the commencement of housing deliveries and the introduction of new developers, expressing confidence in making Mumbai slum-free within seven to eight years. Addressing the issue of traffic disruptions due to waterlogging, he remarked that such reports are less frequent now. As a coastal city, Mumbai channels rainwater to the sea, and high tides return the water. Completion of several pumping stations will soon eliminate waterlogging, he assured.
CM's Stance on BMC Dissolution Accusations
He responded to allegations about dismantling BMC and separating Mumbai by explaining that MMRDA was established 30-40 years ago. Although its operations were minimal previously, it has been more active recently. Within Mumbai, BMC remains the primary operational body, while MMRDA executes works outside. Despite these allocations, MMRDA has not encroached on BMC’s domain. He discussed contributions to infrastructure development, despite Uddhav Thackeray declining metro funding, leading MMRDA to step in.
Devendra Fadnavis Asserts Mumbai's Mayor Will Be Marathi, Hindu
When asked about the possibility of a BJP mayor in BMC, Fadnavis affirmed that the mayor from their alliance will indeed be Marathi and Hindu. Drawing parallels with Chennai, Fadnavis underlined the cultural expectations of leadership reflecting local ethnicity, asserting pride in his Marathi identity. He celebrated the inclusive Marathi identity tied to the legacy and values of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
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Fadnavis acknowledged the contribution of migrants, affirming their status as 'Mumbaikars', regardless of linguistic differences. He highlighted the collective joy with which citizens celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, emphasizing unity through shared Hindu identity. On the issue of expelling illegal immigrants, he underscored the proactive deportation of Bangladeshi intruders, stating Maharashtra leads in deportation efforts.
