Maharashtra elections 2024: "Manisha Chaudhary – I’ve earned the trust of my people" – Focus on redevelopment, healthcare, and eco-tourism in Dahisar’s future

Manisha Chaudhary BJPWhat are the primary issues facing the Dahisar constituency and what will be your key focus areasSince becoming MLA in 2014 Irsquove strengthened my bond with the people from Manisha Chaudhary I became Manisha Tai Despite challenges like the COVID19 pandemic and the previous government which delayed projects wersquove resumed key initiativesFor example Dahisar river revitalisation is nearly complete with protective walls and sewerage infrastructure and 1244 affected families are being rehabilitated Additionally Gopinath Munde Stadium was developed and wersquore expanding the Coastal Road projectHealthcare is another priority Bhagwati hospitalrsquos new 490bed wing opening in 2025 includes a private ward enhancing local healthcare options Wersquore also pushing redevelopment projects forward The relocation of aviation radars will soon clear building height restrictions allowing redevelopment to proceedWersquove secured a motion to transfer 56 acres from AAI to BMC with 40 acres allocated in Gorai and Rs 476 crore for the remaining 16 acres The only hurdle left is a Rs 66 crore installation cost raised by the aviation ministry which the BMC has agreed to cover at the Chief Ministerrsquos requestIrsquove also addressed documentation issues for Gaothan and Koliwada residents reducing their residency proof requirement from 1900 to 2000 similar to slum residents Additionally Mumbairsquos first AgriKoli Bhavan is under construction in Dahisar to promote local culture and create jobsWhat is your stance on redevelopment especially SRA schemes Is SRA fulfilling its purposeIn my constituency wersquove made solid progress with SRA projects Last month we completed the Chandak SRA project handing over homes to 1500 residents Additionally we secured 40 extra homes from a private developer to broaden rehabilitation effortsSuccessful redevelopment requires close coordination between the community representatives and developers Representatives must prioritise the communityrsquos welfare while developers should aim for consensus When these elements align delays are minimisedFor example in Ganpat Patil Nagar a slum area with over 10000 residents In 2014 I received only 56 votes from this area yet I worked to improve living conditions securing legal electricity and water access despite opposition We ended residentsrsquo reliance on exploitative mafias by obtaining environmental clearances and funding water linesImproving pedestrian pathways has become critical as hawkers have taken over many footpaths forcing people onto the streets What actions are you planning to enhance these areas and address encroachmentsEffective action requires collaboration between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC state and Central governments Conflicting policies from each create challenges often complicating enforcement For example children are sometimes used to delay eviction efforts on humanitarian grounds Only a coordinated approach from the state government and BMC with strong support from the police can effectively address this issueWersquove raised the hawker issue in the legislature and therersquos already a policy that needs swift implementation Dedicated hawker zones must be established limited to local residentsmdashespecially selfhelp groups widows and other women in needPublic transport is essential for city mobility What measures would you support to increase its efficiency especially for lastmile connectivity and dealing with auto rickshaws refusing short ridesLegally commuters can report rickshaw drivers who refuse short rides To improve lastmile connectivity Irsquom working on establishing shared rickshaw stands and bus stops at Metro stationsAt Dahisar Check Naka for instance street parking caused by a lack of designated spaces has led to congestion I raised this in the Assembly proposing that the area be used for transport facilities rather than residential projects The state government had plans to rehabilitate residents from Dharavi there The chief minister and municipal commissioner approved the plan and a parking facility is now under construction with land reserved a tender issued and work underwayIs water contamination and supply an issue in your constituency What are your plans to address thisYes water contamination and supply are serious concerns especially in Gaothan and Koliwada The water pipelines here managed by the BMC are 60ndash70 years old and often run alongside sewer lines leading to occasional contamination from gas leaks We used cameras to identify problem spots replaced many old pipes and improved water quality for residentsCan you provide an update on the mangrove park and ecotourism project that yoursquove supported since 2015Environmental protection especially the Mangrove Project is close to my heart Irsquom the only female legislator on the Mangrove Foundation and we all have a role in preserving these ecosystems A Detailed Project Report is prepared and reviewed by a highpower committee and work orders are issued With funding secure Irsquom committed to completing this project within five years Mangroves are essential in preventing floods and tsunamis and our aim is to protect them through this park and ecotourism initiativeUnemployment is a national issue but is it a concern in your constituency What initiatives do you plan to introduce for job creationDevelopment creates jobs naturally The Metro construction Coastal Road and Mangrove Park projects are generating employment in sectors like cement steel and ecofriendly transport Additionally skill development is a priority institutions in Borivli and Dahisar offer courses to improve employability and MP Piyush Goyal has launched training in hospitality and cybersecurity We also work with diamond manufacturers who offer local youth handson training stipends and job placements building a stable future for themYour opponents label you a ldquoSilent MLArdquoSilent Just ask around I have 100 per cent attendance and ask the most questions in the AssemblyDuring COVID19 I was on the ground managing road projects improving the Dahisar River providing food and vaccines I have no black money scams or corruptionmdashmy record is clean and Irsquove earned the trust of my people What does lsquosilentrsquo mean Irsquove raised issues from stray dogs in Dahisar to national aviation concernsSo whorsquos really silent here Manisha Chaudhary Angaar hai baaki sab bhangaar hai Manisha Chaudhary is the fire the rest is just scrapCitizen SpeakKishan Singh a banker from Chandak Parvat Nagar expresses his hopes for DahisarldquoWe need real commitment to slum redevelopment better health facilities and more green spaces Less traffic more treesmdashquality of life has to come before urban sprawlrdquo On traffic issues he says ldquoThe toll waiver was welcomed but it created a new monstermdasha traffic jam that sometimes stretches to Devipada from the Dahisar toll Meanwhile corporators are missing and issues like open drains and water supply remain unaddressedrdquoHarish Pandey EnvironmentalistldquoThis constituency is blessed with Sanjay Gandhi National Park on one side and valuable mangroves and wetlands on the other We urge all candidates to protect these resources as crucial carbon sinks for future generations Gaothans need redevelopment to prevent flooding and old buildings require solutions to height restrictions linked to AAI radar stationsrdquoldquoAs Dahisar transforms into a Metro hub lastmile connectivity and protection against misuse are essential Planning bodies like BMC must stop trading valuable land parcels with builders and urgent improvements are needed on Link Road plagued by slums and encroachmentsrdquo