In a letter addressed to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Aaditya Thackeray said that a system which had functioned efficiently for over ten years appeared to have suddenly collapsed
Aaditya Thackeray questioned the BMC chief on the exact reason for the failure in clearing debris. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Friday expressed strong concerns over the state of waste management in Mumbai and the unchecked rise of illegal political hoardings across the city, reported the IANS.
In a letter addressed to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Aaditya Thackeray said that a system which had functioned efficiently for over ten years appeared to have suddenly collapsed.
He pointed out that in the last two years, garbage collection has become irregular in several lanes and neighbourhoods across Mumbai.
“Rubbish is now piling up not only in remote pockets but also at junctions, major roads, near places of worship and outside residential buildings,” he wrote, according to the IANS.
Aaditya Thackeray questioned the BMC chief on the exact reason for the failure in clearing debris -- asking whether the mechanism for collection had changed, whether contractors had been diverted, or whether the civic body had reassigned its workforce elsewhere.
He also raised the issue of illegal political hoardings and banners, reminding the administration that the courts had banned such displays years ago.
He alleged that the BMC was now “selectively” interpreting the order, allowing hoardings by ministers or their supporters to remain in place for up to two weeks.
Aaditya Thackeray further claimed that during visits by foreign dignitaries, the state government itself erected numerous unauthorised hoardings, making Mumbai appear disorderly and poorly regulated, as per the IANS.
He said that action was taken only against hoardings put up by the Opposition or local mandals.
The Sena (UBT) leader added that he had written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging an end to the “race” of illegal hoardings, arguing that if leaders publicly declared that no hoardings would be installed, the problem would resolve itself, reported the IANS.
However, he said he had received no response.
He expressed hope that the BMC Commissioner would reply and take appropriate action.
Earlier, Aaditya Thackeray criticised the state government over Mumbai’s worsening air pollution and deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
“As Mumbai’s AQI gets worse each day and we compete with Delhi in this ‘terrible AQI’ race, the governments at every level—currently controlled by the BJP and its allies—choose to ignore the suffering of the people. All they care about are builders and contractors, not citizens,” he said, the news agency reported.
He also accused the administration of prioritising construction, tree-cutting and so-called ‘development’ at the expense of the environment.
(with IANS inputs)
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