Konkanis, Malvanis Hindutva supporters, says BJP leader Ameet Satam at Sawantwadi train event

BJP leader Ameet Satam on Saturday said people from the Konkan region living in Mumbai including members of the Konkani and Malvani communities support Hindutva and have contributed to the citys developmentSatam was speaking at a programme held to flag off a special train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Sawantwadi in Maharashtras Konkan region for people travelling home for Ganpati celebrations He also thanked BJP colleague and state minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha for arranging the additional train serviceSatam links Konkan communities with HindutvaAddressing the gathering Satam said the Konkani and Malvani communities in Mumbai had supported the BJP and its political agendaMalvanis and Konkanis are Hindutva supporters and following Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision and under the guidance of Devendra Fadnavis ji Malvanis and Konkanis of Mumbai are seen participating in the journey of development Satam saidHis remarks came during an event focused on facilitating travel for people from Mumbai heading towards the Konkan region for the Ganpati festivalThe annual festival sees a large number of Mumbai residents with roots in Konkan travel to their native towns and villages The additional train service was arranged to accommodate passengers who may not have secured seats on regular servicesSatam credits Malvani voters for civic poll resultSatam also referred to the BJPs performance in the Mumbai civic polls and claimed that support from the Malvani community had contributed to the party securing the mayors post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after 43 yearsHe said Ritu Tawde who hails from Sindhudurg district in the Konkan region had assumed the mayoral position and described her appointment as a return gift to the people of KonkanSatams comments linked the political representation of people from the Konkan region with the BJPs electoral performance in MumbaiSpecial train arranged for Ganpati travelSpeaking to reporters at the event state minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said public representatives had a responsibility to make travel easier for people during major festivalsGanpati is the biggest festival for the people of Konkan Everyone goes there with their family and community Those who do not get reservations on regular trains should not be left behind Lodha saidHe said the additional train service was intended to provide another travel option to passengers who were unable to obtain reservations on regular trainsBuses also being operated for passengersLodha said buses were also being operated to facilitate travel to the Konkan region during the festival periodHe said public representatives and authorities should take whatever steps were necessary to help passengers manage the heavy demand for transport during the festive seasonWhatever we have to do we should do it It is our responsibility Lodha saidThe special train service is part of efforts to manage the seasonal increase in passenger traffic between Mumbai and the Konkan region during Ganpati celebrations The festival traditionally results in a sharp rise in demand for railway and road transport as families travel to their native placesIncreased travel demand during GanpatiThousands of people from Mumbai travel to districts in the Konkan region during the festival resulting in heavy demand for seats on regular trains and busesThe additional train to Sawantwadi is aimed at providing more capacity for passengers travelling towards southern Konkan Bus services are also being used to supplement railway connectivity during the festival periodWith inputs from PTI