Act immediately against illegal structures, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray tells BMC

Uddhav Thackeray. File pic

The BMC should take immediate action against unauthorised constructions at ward level, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Wednesday.

The CM has instructed civic officials to complete works on time by focusing on roads, sidewalks, sanitation and civic amenities. Talking about debris dumped along Eastern and Western Express Highways, he said BMC should install cameras and take immediate action against miscreants.

Thackeray, during his meeting with civic officials, said, "The assistant commissioners should act consciously and strictly, and not tolerate pressure from anyone." He added that the tender process for road repairs should be done in a systematic and transparent manner, so that no one can lift a finger against BMC. "You want to make the city beautiful, with high quality facilities. So pay close attention to roads, sidewalks, dividers, sidewalks, gardens will be beautiful and tidy, and get the job done," he said.

After the meeting, Chahal directed assistant commissioners of all 24 wards to start crackdown on unauthorised constructions more effectively and to submit regular reports on the works. Thackeray also talked about Covid preparedness. "The Mumbai model was praised during the Covid battle. But instead of stopping there, we should focus on civic amenities," he said. He cited the example of England where cases are on the rise, leading to filling up of hospital beds.

He also said cases of malaria, dengue and chikungunya were reported during monsoon, and asked for measures to be taken to prevent the spread of these ailments, following which Chahal ordered implementation of effective preventive measures such as destruction of mosquito breeding grounds.