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I did this poll for a specific reason to show the difference between politics of the BJP and the Shiv Sena especially in the MMR region in last 6 years.
What do u prefer, a mass rapid transit system like a metro or a coastal road that let's you zip faster across Mumbai in cars? https://twitter.com/MandarSawant184/status/1335120797069787137
What do u prefer, a mass rapid transit system like a metro or a coastal road that let's you zip faster across Mumbai in cars? https://twitter.com/MandarSawant184/status/1335120797069787137
Current trends (less than 60 votes) show that 90% agree that metro is much more effective for aam aadmi than a coastal road.
Here in lies the difference between what was done at the infra level in Mumbai in last 40 years and what ex CM Fadnavis did in last 6 years
Here in lies the difference between what was done at the infra level in Mumbai in last 40 years and what ex CM Fadnavis did in last 6 years
Mumbai is a land constrained city which runs North -South. The citizens mostly travel from North (Virar-Mumbai) or (Badlapur-Thane-Mulund) to South (Dadar, Churchgate-CST).
The local train system has sustained Mumbai over a century and it is called a life line.
The local train system has sustained Mumbai over a century and it is called a life line.
However with over population over the decades (interestingly 2021 census could see Mumbai having small growth or negative population growth) the local train system is clogged with scores of people losing their life everyday.
While many people view Mumbai as a slum from outside (justified in a sense), the city has best drinking water, electricity and medical facilities (could be costly). So main problem of Mumbaikars is commute to office n back. It is the bane of a Mumbaikar's existence
Either u become a part of the cattle herd in local trains or u choose BEST/ pvt office transport/ auto/ Uber to travel minimum 1-2 hours either way.
Transport system being North-South, the East-West connectivity is ignored at best.
Transport system being North-South, the East-West connectivity is ignored at best.
Daily ridership figures for Mumbai suburban train are approx 75 lakh (bit dated at 2016-17).
This capacity was built over a century.
This capacity was built over a century.
What Fadnavis did was to make an ambitious plan to have a metro train network in the whole of Mumbai and adjoining Thane district (part of MMR). The network aimed to connect places as far as Virar and Bhiwandi.
Before he lost power, Fadnavis started work on 5-6 lines
Before he lost power, Fadnavis started work on 5-6 lines
The first choice was practical and political both. He chose to start Metro 2A and 7 along the new link road and Western Express highway (WEH) between Dahisar and Andheri. Two metro lines parallel to the Western Railway line and on either side of it.
WEH accounts for 60% vehicular traffic in Mumbai. Sees a lot of traffic jams, so ideally this was the best route with guaranteed ridership.
Politically too Dahisar-Bandra belt is important to BJP as this area gives BJP 47 out of the 83 corporators in BMC.
Politically too Dahisar-Bandra belt is important to BJP as this area gives BJP 47 out of the 83 corporators in BMC.
Btw BJP has potential to win 55-60 out of approx 98 wards in this area. Demographically large number of Gujarati, Hindi , Kannada speaking voters along with decent Marathi speaking voters. Marathis in this belt (like yours truly) support BJP over Sena. BJP has 9 MLAs in this belt
Sena has 5 MLAs while Congress has 2 MLAs in this belt.Even if we keep politics aside, ridership projection wise these Metro 2A & 7 were best options. These are likely to start operations from end 2021. This will increase length of functional metro line in Mumbai from 11 to 46 km
Next line started was the backbone of the network, the fully underground Metro 3 connecting Colaba to SEEPZ. U all must be aware of the controversy of the Aarey workshop cum depot shifted to Kanjurmarg by MVA govt.
The project likely to be functional in 2022 will be delayed now
The project likely to be functional in 2022 will be delayed now
Numerous other lines were started including Metro 4 (GPO to Thane) the longest line and having huge impact on the often ignored Central suburbs (parallel to Central railway) of Mumbai. Work is ongoing but deadline is 2024 on this line.
The final plan envisages 235 km of metro network in Mumbai as per Wikipedia. Metro network will literally connect all points in Mumbai when functional.
Ridership numbers will rival the Mumbai suburban trains (built over 100 years).
Ridership numbers will rival the Mumbai suburban trains (built over 100 years).
Special point to mention is Fadnavis started work by arranging finance through long term loans (JICA, ADB) or through MMRDA accruals.
No money taken from centre or state finances. Mumbai would be building itself and metro operations will pay the debt.
No money taken from centre or state finances. Mumbai would be building itself and metro operations will pay the debt.
Now let us look at the Shiv Sena way of looking at infra. A Mumbai slang that comes to mind is show-sha (or show shining). Making a glamorous project like Mumbai coastal road as show piece of ur infra efforts for the megapolis.
I am not belittling coastal road here
I am not belittling coastal road here
But comparisons are bound to happen. And there personally I find metro network as a more democratic and effective project than the coastal road.
Other Sena projects are new aquarium and a proposed new zoo in Aarey.
Folks u decide what's important for a city where transit is pain
Other Sena projects are new aquarium and a proposed new zoo in Aarey.
Folks u decide what's important for a city where transit is pain
I rest my case here. Now for the Mumbaikars to decide if u want to repair ur city fundamentally or do some glam projects to show off.
Vote in Feb 2022 will decide the future 5 years of Mumbai. Choose well
Vote in Feb 2022 will decide the future 5 years of Mumbai. Choose well
