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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

Kalamboli Junction upgrade gathers pace

Rs 482-crore project targets seamless airport, port access

Mumbai: Work on the Rs 482-crore Kalamboli Junction Development Project, aimed at eliminating signals, easing congestion and boosting regional connectivity, is moving forward steadily, with key structural milestones already achieved. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) are jointly executing the project, which is expected to transform one of Navi Mumbai’s busiest intersections into a high-speed, conflict-free traffic hub within 18 months.


On-site progress, engineering updates

According to an MSIDC official, 190 out of 688 piles have been completed, marking substantial advancement in foundation work. On the Pune ramp side, a 300-metre Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) road and a 500-metre drainage system have been finished. Pile cap construction has commenced, while a casting yard for I-girder production has been set up, with the first girders expected to be cast by August 20.These developments indicate the project is well into its structural groundwork phase, a critical stage that determines the pace of superstructure assembly. Once girder casting begins, the visible transformation of the site is expected to accelerate, providing commuters with tangible signs of progress.


A two-level interchange to end traffic chaos

The upgraded junction will adopt a two-level directional/stack interchange design, ensuring signal-free movement and eliminating at-grade cross-conflicts — a major cause of delays at the current roundabout. The design aims to reduce queuing delays for all routes, an essential improvement given Kalamboli’s role as a convergence point for multiple arterial corridors.


These flyover arms will form the core of the project:

1. Shil Phata → Steel Yard

2. Pune → Shil Phata

3. Pune → Mumbai

4. Panvel → Mumbai

5. JNPA → Pune

6. Shil Phata → Pune


Additionally, two underpasses will link Panvel to Shil Phata and Panvel to the Steel Yard, further reducing traffic interference.


Strategic importance: Gateway to airport and port

Kalamboli Junction is not just a local traffic hotspot, it is a crucial node for Mumbai-Pune highway users, cargo transporters bound for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and future passengers heading to the Navi Mumbai International Airport.Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had emphasised the importance of the upgrade, citing the junction’s pivotal role in both passenger mobility and freight logistics. With the airport slated to be a major regional hub, seamless access from major highways is considered vital for operational efficiency.


Managing disruptions during construction

While the long-term benefits are widely acknowledged, the project’s execution has inevitably brought short-term inconveniences. The Panvel exit from Kalamboli has been closed for six months, prompting traffic diversions via Palaspe and Atal Setu. This has led to heavier volumes on alternative routes, particularly during peak hours.Three piling rigs are operating round-the-clock to stay on schedule, with MSIDC and NHAI coordinating traffic management efforts. Officials are urging commuters to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time.


Economic and urban mobility benefits

Once operational, the redesigned junction is expected to:

Cut travel time between Mumbai, Pune, and JNPA significantly.

Enhance logistics efficiency for cargo movement, reducing transit delays.

Improve accessibility to the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will be a major driver of economic activity in the region.

Reduce fuel wastage and vehicular emissions by eliminating prolonged idling at signals.


Given that Kalamboli handles thousands of vehicles daily, including a high proportion of freight carriers, the project’s economic multiplier effect is likely to extend well beyond Navi Mumbai. Improved connectivity is expected to attract industrial and commercial investments to the surrounding zones, including Taloja, Panvel and Kharghar.


Challenges ahead

Despite the steady progress, certain challenges remain. Foundation work for the remaining 498 piles must be executed on time to avoid cascading delays in superstructure erection. Land acquisition for approaches and coordination with utility providers for shifting lines will also be critical to maintaining the schedule. Additionally, weather-related disruptions during the monsoon season could test construction timelines.However, the presence of a dedicated casting yard and pre-scheduled girder production indicates that MSIDC is aiming to offset potential delays by front-loading key fabrication work.


A transformational leap in regional transport

The Kalamboli Junction upgrade represents more than just an infrastructure project — it is a strategic urban mobility intervention. By combining flyovers, underpasses and a signal-free interchange, the design addresses not only current traffic bottlenecks but also anticipates future demand from Navi Mumbai’s urban expansion and the airport’s operations.If completed on schedule, by late 2026 commuters could see one of the most significant overhauls of a traffic node in Navi Mumbai’s history. As the first girders are cast this month, the groundwork is being laid — quite literally — for a faster, safer and more efficient transport experience across one of India’s busiest logistics and travel corridors.

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