Congress raises questions on PM Modi's visit to Mumbai, his priorities

Congress on Wednesday raised questions on the priorities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his visit to Mumbai Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh raised questions over the ongoing delay in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections and also raised questions over the state of infrastructure in the cityRamesh in a post on X said that the the delay in BMC electionshas stirred apprehension among Mumbais citizens With the BMC functioning under an administrators rule for over 18 months concerns over democracy and citizens rights have escalated he added and stated that the delay supposedly due to issues like OBC reservations and ward delimitation is a ploy by the ruling coalition particularly the BJP to evade facing the electorate and potential electoral consequencesWith the BMC under an unelected administrator the ruling coalition has been using the civic bodys funds and resources to benefit its own MLAs and supporters Former corporators across parties have also highlighted issues like a lack of coordination delays in developmental works and lack of accountability due to the absence of local representatives Without elected representatives Mumbairsquos citizens have struggled to get their voices heard and grievances addressed by the BMC Why has the BJP betrayed the people of Mumbai How much longer do people have to wait to have their voices heard Jairam Ramesh wroteHe also spoke about the recent Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident wherein over 12 persons died due to the fall of an illegally erected billboard Ramesh criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shindes departure to Varanasi to join the PMs nomination event leaving behind the aftermath of the tragedyThe Congress leader also stated that concerns about Mumbais deteriorating air quality have been exacerbated by recent events including a severe dust storm and alarmingly high pollution levels comparable to Delhi The Maharashtra governments inadequate efforts to tackle air pollution as highlighted by the Bombay High Court have led to frustration among residents he said The Congress leader also raised questions on why has the PM Modiled government neglected the development of the local trainsTodayrsquos questions for the outgoing PMrsquos visit to Mumbai and Kalyan1 Is the BJP scared of losing the BMC polls2 Is the PMrsquos nomination more important than Mumbaikarsrsquo lives3 What is the BJPrsquos vision to address Mumbairsquos air pollution4 Why are Mumbairsquos localhellipmdash Jairam Ramesh Jairam_Ramesh May 15 2024The PM is visiting Mumbai in the aftermath of the horrific death of 14 people in Ghatkopar on the 13th of May due to the collapse of a large 250ton hoarding illegally put up on a property owned by the Railway Ministry The illegal hoarding was on Central Government land and the permission had been granted by the BMC which the NDArsquos State Government now administers Within 24 hours of this horrific incident even as some victims remained trapped under the debris the Chief Minister of Maharashtra left for Varanasi to join the PM in his lsquoshow of strengthrsquo Does this attitude underscore Mr Modirsquos priorities of political calculations over the peoplersquos tragedies Is attending the PM nomination more important than peoples lives Jairam Ramesh said on the Ghatkopar hoarding collapseHe added Almost 7 people die on Mumbairsquos local trains every day These trains which are the lifelines of the city have increasingly become infamous for their lack of safety and horrible overcrowding at peak hours Despite how crucial the local trains are for Mumbaikars they have suffered during PM Modirsquos Dus Saal Anyay Kaal The Railway Ministry has failed to fill staff vacancies leading to shoddy repair and maintenance work and frequent train derailments in the last few yearsWhile Phase 3 of the Mumbai Urban Transport project was announced by the Modi Sarkar in the Railway Budget of 201516 the project has made little progress and is now slated for completion as late as 2031 Last April two major corridors under this project the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMTPanvel elevated fast corridor and the VirarVasaiPanvel suburban rail line were abruptly scrapped by the Centre Why has the Modi Sarkar neglected the lifeline of Mumbai How many Mumbaikars are going to die because of the PMrsquos inaction Ramesh questioned