BJP demands separate ministry for Mumbai in Mah govt

Mumbai, July 19 (UNI) Stating that Mumbai's growth and development was interlinked with the progress of Maharashtra, BJP today demanded a separate ministry for the city.

BJP leader in the Legislative Assembly Gopinath Munde, while speaking about Mumbai's issues, said elected representatives from the city should get adequate representation in the state government.

He said a separate Police Commissionarate for Mumbai suburbs was also required.

He said there are so many agencies involved in different sectors like housing, infrastructure, civic amenities, transport that there is no co-ordination amongst themselves at all which is harming the interests of the city.

''Any further expansion of the city by reclaiming land from the sea would be an invitation to death. There will be a reaction from the sea if we continue to reclaim land. What happened in Indonesia recently is well known. What will we do if 15 ft tidal wave comes here. Mumbai is a coastal island city. Its expansion is not possible'', Mr Munde said and called for urgent measures to decongest the city.

''Creating a third Mumbai across the Gateway of India is the only option. Also Legislature building, government be shifted and there should be a modern airport in the new city'', he demanded.

According to him, a Ring Road from Bandra-Worli-Nariman Point and Nhava Sheva-Shivdi-Panvel and developing the Anik-Panjarpol road into ten-lane would help to decongest the vehicular traffic. Mr Munde criticised the state government for not completing the Bandra-Worli-Nariman point sea link on time resulting in escalation of costs.

''Developing waterways was a must and private parties should be involved in initiating the water transport project'', he said adding that he failed to understand why the state government was not repealing the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Act.

He lamented that the state government and the centre was not giving priority to the issues concerning Mumbai as was required even when the city contributes in large numbers to the country's exchequer.

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