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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Infrastructure moment in MMR

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) stands at a critical inflection point as the Mahayuti alliance secured near-complete control over key municipal corporations across the region. With aligned political leadership at the state and civic levels, the long-fragmented governance architecture of India’s most complex urban agglomeration may finally see greater coherence in planning and execution. For a region grappling with mobility stress, water insecurity and uneven urban expansion, the...

Infrastructure moment in MMR

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) stands at a critical inflection point as the Mahayuti alliance secured near-complete control over key municipal corporations across the region. With aligned political leadership at the state and civic levels, the long-fragmented governance architecture of India’s most complex urban agglomeration may finally see greater coherence in planning and execution. For a region grappling with mobility stress, water insecurity and uneven urban expansion, the question now is not what to build—but how quickly and seamlessly projects can be delivered. Urban mobility remains the backbone of MMR’s infrastructure agenda. Several metro corridors are at advanced stages, including the Andheri West–Vikhroli Metro Line 6 and extensions of the Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ Metro Line 3. While construction has progressed steadily, coordination issues with municipal agencies—particularly related to road restoration, utilities shifting and traffic management—have often slowed execution. With elected civic bodies now politically aligned with the state government and agencies like MMRDA and MMRC, these bottlenecks are expected to ease. Decision-making on road closures, permissions for casting yards and last-mile integration with buses and footpaths could see faster turnarounds. Suburban rail projects such as the Panvel–Karjat corridor and additional railway lines on the Central and Western routes are also likely to benefit from smoother land acquisition and rehabilitation approvals, traditionally the most contentious municipal functions. Regional Connectivity MMR’s road infrastructure has expanded rapidly in recent years, but execution has often been uneven across municipal boundaries. Projects such as the Mumbai Coastal Road, the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road, the Thane–Borivali tunnel and the Airoli–Katai connector have regional significance but require constant coordination with local bodies for utilities, encroachments and traffic planning. Under a unified civic dispensation, authorities expect fewer inter-agency delays and greater willingness at the municipal level to prioritise regionally critical projects over hyper-local political considerations. The next phase of the Coastal Road, suburban creek bridges, and arterial road widening projects in fast-growing nodes like Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli and Panvel could be streamlined as municipal corporations align their development plans with state transport objectives. Water Security Water supply remains one of the most politically sensitive infrastructure issues in MMR, particularly in peripheral urban zones. Projects such as the Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme and proposed dam developments in the Karjat region are designed to address chronic shortages in Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar and parts of Navi Mumbai. While these projects are state-driven, municipal cooperation is critical for distribution networks, billing systems and sewerage integration. With elected bodies replacing administrators, local governments are expected to accelerate last-mile pipelines, treatment plants and sewage networks that often lag behind bulk water infrastructure. Unified political control may also reduce resistance to tariff rationalisation and long-delayed sewage treatment upgrades mandated under environmental norms. Housing Integration One area where political alignment could have an outsized impact is redevelopment—particularly slum rehabilitation and transit-oriented development. Many large housing projects have stalled due to disputes between civic officials, state agencies and local political interests. A cohesive governance structure could fast-track approvals for cluster redevelopment near metro corridors, unlocking both housing supply and ridership potential. Municipal corporations are also likely to align their development control regulations more closely with state urban policy, enabling higher density near transport nodes and more predictable redevelopment timelines. This could be transformative for older suburbs and industrial belts awaiting regeneration. The return of elected municipal councils after years of administrative rule introduces political accountability but also sharper alignment with state priorities. Budget approvals, tendering processes and policy decisions that earlier faced delays due to political uncertainty are expected to move faster. Capital expenditure plans could increasingly reflect regional priorities rather than fragmented ward-level demands. However, challenges remain. Faster execution will depend not only on political control but on institutional capacity, contractor performance and financial discipline. Public scrutiny is also likely to intensify as elected representatives seek visible results within fixed tenures.

No, Shaniwar Wada Isn’t Megha Kulkarni’s Family Property!

On October 18, Muslim women offered namaz at Pune’s Shaniwar Wada. After a video of the event went viral, it triggered a political storm. In response, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, along with Patit Pavan Sanghatana leaders, performed Shiv Vandana at the same spot as part of a “purification” drive. Her action drew sharp criticism from NCP spokesperson Rupali Patil-Thombre, journalist Nikhil Wagle, Paigambar Sheikh, and Sanjay Sonawne, who mocked her. Instead of seeking action against those who offered namaz, they demanded police action against Kulkarni. Rupali Thombre even made a personal remark, saying Shaniwar Wada does not belong to Medha Kulkarni’s father. While that is true, it equally does not belong to Thombre’s father — a fact she should have remembered before making such comments.


In August 2018, a controversy erupted at Pune’s Ferguson College over a Satyanarayan puja. At the time, MP Supriya Sule advised citizens to perform “religious rituals like the Satyanarayan puja at home.” Rupali Thombre would have done well to recall that advice before criticising Medha Kulkarni. The double standard of “pujas at home but namaz anywhere” will no longer be tolerated. Addressing this issue, Minister Nitesh Rane asked whether Hindus performing Maha Aarti or Hanuman Chalisa at Haji Ali Dargah would be acceptable — a question that silenced many critics. If Hindu rituals at the Taj Mahal are deemed a crime, why doesn’t the same rule apply to Shaniwar Wada? Would Maha Aarti or Hanuman Chalisa at Pune’s Aga Khan Palace or Bibi Ka Maqbara be tolerated? MP Medha Kulkarni’s firm stance, therefore, remains both justified and commendable.


Shaniwar Wada is not just a structure or a ruined building; it is a historical site from where the victorious hooves of Hindu warriors rode toward Delhi’s throne, overthrowing Islamic empires and hoisting saffron flags beyond Attock. Therefore, the sanctity of this site must be preserved, which reflects the sentiment of the common man. MP Megha Kulkarni has raised the voice of the common people against the namaz offered at Shaniwar Wada. Her stance is justified, and her movement was intended to warn against such incidents recurring in the future or namaz being offered in the Shaniwar Wada premises. It must be understood that her movement was not for personal gain, and the reason behind it should be acknowledged. A similar controversial incident occurred at Sarasbaug some time ago, showing a pattern between the events at Sarasbaug and Shaniwar Wada. Offering namaz at Shaniwar Wada may seem like a minor incident with no significant impact. It is a fact that needy individuals have offered namaz at the homes or offices of leaders across the country. However, it must be verified whether the incidents from Sarasbaug to Shaniwar Wada are part of a larger conspiracy. There is a possibility that experiments of offering namaz at places like Shaniwar Wada are being conducted gradually. If no one pays attention or opposes these acts, they may continue regularly, starting on Fridays and later whenever convenient. Such conspiracies have been observed in the past at forts like Vishalgad and Pratapgad, where small experiments were made to Islamise these sites. Similar experiments are reportedly underway on national and state highways as well. Therefore, the vigilance shown by MP Medha Kulkarni must be considered appropriate.


Shaniwar Wada holds immense historical and cultural significance, and while the Archaeological Department oversees it, the fact remains that namaz was offered there. MP Medha Kulkarni’s efforts were aimed at issuing a warning to prevent such incidents in the future. With the BJP in power both at the national level and in Maharashtra, questions have been raised about why a BJP Rajya Sabha MP like Medha Kulkarni needed to stage a movement. Some have even argued that her actions threaten Pune’s social harmony.


However, why is no one questioning the recurrence of such controversial incidents? Considering the sequence of events from Sarasbaug to Shaniwar Wada, her fearless movement, despite being a woman, is certainly praiseworthy. While other political parties in Pune have remained silent or hesitant for political gains, MP Medha Kulkarni has boldly raised the voice of Hindutva through her movement. Her actions will undoubtedly be noted in history, and it would not be an exaggeration to say so.


(The writer is a resident of Akola. Views personal.)

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