Mumbai Metro 3: CM Eknath Shinde Holds Uddhav Thackeray Responsible For Project Delays

On Saturday, early light showers did not dampen the spirits of Shiv Sena president and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as he delivered a strong attack against his rival, Uddhav Thackeray, during the party's annual Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan. Shinde accused Thackeray of compromising Hindutva ideology and hindering development in the state. Despite the rain, a large number of party leaders and workers attended the rally.

CM Shinde highlighted that the completion of Mumbai's Metro 3 project was possible only after he led a rebellion against the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June 2022. He defended his government's actions regarding the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and alleged that there are attempts to obstruct this significant initiative.

Photo Credit: Eknath Shinde X

He emphasized that Hindutva and development were the primary reasons for his political move in 2022. "Would the Metro 3 project have been completed if the government had not changed?" he questioned, criticising Thackeray for halting the project for two and a half years, resulting in a Rs 17,000 crore increase in costs. He added that if that money had been saved, he could have allocated ₹3000 per month under the newly launched Ladki Bahin Yojana.

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana currently provides Rs 1,500 monthly cash assistance to women from economically weaker backgrounds. CM Shinde stated, "Had the government not changed, projects worth lakhs of crores would have been stalled." He accused the previous MVA government of blocking essential infrastructure projects, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Metro 3, Bullet Train, and more.

CM Shinde claimed that since the Mahayuti government took over, all these "speed breakers" have been removed. He asserted that numerous welfare schemes would have been halted without this change in power, affecting women, youth, and senior citizens.

Addressing criticism regarding land allotments for the DRP, CM Shinde said opposition leaders were intentionally creating obstacles in the slum redevelopment project. "You build bungalows but want the people of Dharavi to remain in poor conditions," he remarked. He noted that while Thackeray approved only eligible individuals for housing, he directed the allocation of homes to all 2,10,000 residents of Dharavi.

CM Shinde urged the people of Dharavi to focus on their benefits and not to be swayed by rumours, assuring them that the government is committed to supporting the community.

In closing, CM Shinde likened Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), referencing the recent voting patterns in Lok Sabha elections. He accused Thackeray of attempting to change the party's core values while relying on Congress votes for temporary success. "There is no difference between AIMIM and you," he asserted, directing his criticism toward Thackeray.