‘Immediate shutdown of malls, shopping centres that are flouting rules’: Congress to BMC

On Monday, March 15, the Congress leader Bhai Jagtap demanded an immediate shutdown of shopping centres and malls. He said that it is being observed that people are not following COVID-19 protocols at various public places. Hence, a shutting it could curb a spread of the coronavirus among mass gatherings of people.

The Congress leader also complained about shopping centres at Kandivali and Malad, where he witnessed large public gatherings and violation of COVID-19 norms.

“I urged the BMC commissioner to shut the places where people are not following COVID-related norms. In supermarkets also overcrowding was seen, which led to violation of social distancing. The staffers were allowing people without any restrictions. After I complained about it, action was taken. Citizens should also take precautions as cases are rising,” said Jagtap at a press conference at the BMC headquarters.

He also pointed out the issues related to the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project and sought rehabilitation of people affected by widening of nullahs within a radius of five kilometres of their homes. The Congress also demanded complete property tax waiver for houses up to 500 square feet and 60 per cent waiver for houses of 500 to 700 square feet.

Bhai Jagtap along with other party leaders met BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal to discuss various civic issues like delay in upgradation of sewage treatment plants, closures of dumping grounds and rehabilitation of those affected due to a nullah widening at Goregaon.

It comes across as ahead of the BMC polls 2022, the Congress has pulled up its socks and started targeting the ruling Shiv Sena on long-pending infrastructure projects.

In Mumbai, 6,500 to 6,800 metric tonnes of waste is generated every day and depleted landfills are creating health problems for the surrounding residents. A 52-hectare land has been allotted at Taloja for waste disposal in Mumbai and 30-hectare land has been taken over by the municipality. He also demanded that the remaining 22 hectares of land should be acquired by the Municipal Corporation immediately and Mumbai should be made landfill free.