Maharashtra assembly elections 2024: Who can fix this crucible of chaos in Kurla?; watch video

Congestion lack of connectivity overcrowding narrow roads rising dust and pollution incomplete infrastructure upgrades and unfinished redevelopment projectsmdashthe Kurla Assembly constituency is a crucible of chaos blending old and newIt is one of the six Assembly segments of the Mumbai North Central Parliamentary seat and comprises two civic wards L and M including areas like Kurla East and West Chunabhatti Tilak Nagar and parts of ChemburThe constituency has around 297000 voters with the main contest this time between two Shiv Sainiks twotime sitting Member of Legislative Assembly MLA Mangesh Kudalkar from Shinde Sena Shiv Sena and former corporator Pravina Morajkar from Uddhav Sena Shiv SenaUBTShiv Sena UBT candidate Pravina Morajkar during her campaign right Shinde Sena candidate Mangesh Kudalkar PicsRajesh GuptaOne of the constituencys key issues is overcrowding amid inadequate infrastructure Multiple towers are coming up and with a growing population the area faces increased strain without a parallel expansion of civic amenities leading to narrow roads congestion and connectivity issues Recently one of the pressing concerns raised by Kurla East residents has been the governmentrsquos plan to relocate Dharavirsquos projectaffected people to an empty plot in Kurla East sparking local ire Shiv Senas Kudalkar has represented the constituency for the last two termsResidents have also started a citizensrsquo movement termed lsquoLok Chalwalrsquo aiming to preserve the old Kurla government milk dairy land for a garden and recreation ground to maintain greenery and open space midday first reported on the Kurla residentsrsquo movement for green space in February 2024The 104hectare land formerly used by the government milk dairy at Nehru Nagar Kurla has been lying unused since the dairy shut down nearly a decade ago Strategically located along the SantacruzChembur Link Road LTT Kurla Terminus Mumbai Metro Yellow Line 2B and the harbour line of the suburban railway the land was initially earmarked by MMRDA for a mixeduse development plan similar to BKC but plans shifted to using it for Dharavi rehabilitationldquoOne of the main issues in areas like Chembur and Pestom Sagar is high pollution an ageold problem that needs immediate attention Politicians should tackle such issues proactively instead of waiting for complaintsmdashit affects everyonerdquo said Rajan Shewar a Chembur residentIn areas like Tilak Nagar and Sahakar Nagar small buildings are transforming into highrise towers creating a nearly new township and straining civic amenities ldquoThis was a large colony for a limited population Now the same number of buildings has turned into towers tripling the population and visibly adding pressurerdquo said resident Ranjan Sudam JadhavSlum dwellers and those living in hillside areas like Qureshi Nagar Kasaiwada and Alidada Estatemdasholder slum pockets now under SRA projectsmdashreport a need for better connectivity ldquoOur small houses have become big towers but therersquos no connectivity here We need autos and busesrdquo said Mohammad Ansari another residentKurla has a growing issue of insufficient civic infrastructure and amenities The lack of these amenities is also leading to safety issues What do you have to say about itYes Kurla is in disarray New colonies have been built but there are no amenities and no streetlights leading to safety issues for women In many places there arenrsquot even proper roads Itrsquos a dire situationWhat are the local issues you would prioritiseI was the corporator for this area and also chaired the civic health committee Many issues have remained unresolved for years The sitting MLA has served two terms but hasnrsquot fully addressed these problems I want to bring about real change and solve peoplersquos problemsThere is increasing congestion and many local issues need attentionYes many issues affecting poorer residents remain incomplete Take Thakkar Bappa Colony for example Itrsquos a colony of leather workers located near the Eastern Express Highway If you visit yoursquoll see the terrible conditionsmdashno roads no upgrades no infrastructure Many residents have contracted diseases like tuberculosis due to the poor conditions The area has become unlivable Recently the chief minister claimed that R2000 crore had been spent on this constituency Is that a joke Where has that money gone given the state of the colonies hereThe constituency has serious connectivity issues What is being done to improve thatYes connectivity is lacking and growth hasnrsquot matched the population increase Commuters struggle daily therersquos no space and no new roads have been built Cars are parked haphazardly and roads are disappearing Visit any major cluster and yoursquoll see the problem This needs to change Once wersquore elected on November 20 Uddhavji and Aadityajirsquos vision will bring significant improvements for the common manWater shortages are affecting the constituency As an MLA for Mumbai what steps would you take to address this issueThe water problem is pressing We raised it at the municipal level but it requires a citywide approach Once elected I will take up this issue and bring it to the legislatureMangesh Kudalkar Shiv Sena Eknath ShindeWhat are the local issues that you would prioritise And what are your achievements so farI have been living here since birth and have a special bond with the area Irsquove been addressing local issues not only in my two terms as MLA but since my youth Key issues Irsquove tackled include compensation for Swadeshi Mill workers MHADA issues and resolving problems on collector land in Pestom Sagar and Chembur which remains on my priority listKurla has a growing issue of lacking civic infrastructure and amenities falling short This shortage is also leading to safety issues What do you have to say about itI have proposed an upgrade for Kurla station to the Central government with work expected to begin by MarchApril 2025 This will provide a major boost to civic amenities near the station Several other upgrade projects are underway each progressing at different stagesThe constituency has significant connectivity issues What is being done to alleviate thatIn Kurla East we are constructing a SATIS project approved by the chief ministerrsquos office and a flyover over the Chunabhatti level crossing A new link bridge at the connectorrsquos landing has also been proposed to improve connectivity for KurlaThe Metro is a new project coming to Kurla However there seems to be a lack of stations The gap between Kurla railway and Metro stations is large Will the Metro be beneficial to Kurla residentsYes it will I will advocate for more Metro stations in Kurla An earlier plan included a station on SG Barve Marg but that location is too congested and would create issues I promise to revisit this and push for a solutionThe growing constituency is facing water shortage issues Water supply is a key issuemdashwhat actions would you take to improve the situation as an MLA for MumbaiWater is indeed an emerging concern Irsquove been discussing this with the BMC commissioner and preparing for future water needs A plan to replace all pipelines over 50 years old is also being developedPollution is another pressing issue What are your thoughtsYes I am committed to developing a botanical garden in Kurla which will create a large green space in the constituency Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has publicly committed to this project and I will ensure it comes to fruitionRedevelopment puts pressure on existing amenities Are SRA schemes necessaryYes but too many projects start at once and are left incomplete My priority now is to ensure that all new and redeveloped buildings in Kurla receive proper Occupation CertificatesCitizenSpeakKiran Pailwan residentThe plot has about 800900 trees Instead of building a cement forest on the site of the old Mother Dairy our movement is working to gather the strength of public cooperation to create a beautified park for the health of Nehru Nagar residents The aim is to make our neighbourhood greener together Kurla East is now overcrowded with a lack of green or open spaces Our petition is solely to save this open green space said Kiran Pailwan one of the residents spearheading the agitationJitendra Gupta citizen activistOther issues plaguing the constituency in Kurla West include poor connectivity and congestion ldquoThe older roads are insufficient Kurla West is crowded and congested with no space to walk The new Metro line does not have enough stations in Kurla East and the West has connectivity issues There is no direct access from LBS Road to the stationmdashone must take a detour via the LTT Itrsquos an example of complete lack of planningrdquo said citizen activist Jitendra Gupta