Milind Deora Criticizes Aditya Thackeray’s Stance on Coastal Road Hoardings

Aditya Thackeray’s Concerns

Shiv Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray recently raised concerns over the state government's plan to erect hoardings in open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road. Thackeray, in a letter to Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, argued that the proposed hoardings near Haji Ali and Amarsons Garden were not part of the original project plan. He expressed his discontent on social media, emphasizing that the open spaces along the Coastal Road were being allocated to contractors before being made accessible to the public.

Thackeray asserted that the coastal road project, which aims to enhance Mumbai's infrastructure, should not include hoardings. He highlighted that this move violated an undertaking submitted to the Supreme Court, which promised no commercial exploitation of the Coastal Road. Additionally, he warned that the presence of hoardings could pose potential threats to life and property, especially with the increasing frequency of cyclones along the western coast.

Thackeray pledged to oppose the hoardings vehemently and promised that if his party comes into power, they would remove the hoardings and hold the responsible officials and contractors accountable.

Milind Deora’s Response

In response to Thackeray’s objections, Milind Deora, a Shiv Sena MP, criticized Thackeray's approach. Deora suggested that instead of writing what he called "love letters" to the civic authorities, Thackeray should focus on presenting a concrete agenda for Mumbai's development. He highlighted the progress made under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, particularly in advancing Mumbai’s infrastructure projects.

Deora accused Thackeray and his party of stalling major projects like the Mumbai Metro during their tenure. He pointed out that the current administration had managed to complete these projects ahead of schedule. Deora also mentioned the upcoming largest public park at Mahalakshmi Race Course, which he argued was a better initiative than Thackeray’s 2013 theme park idea.

Deora further criticized Thackeray's performance in Worli, noting his unpopularity and the narrow lead of his candidate in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He urged Thackeray to focus on his constituency and contribute to Mumbai's development rather than engaging in what he considered superficial issues..

The exchange between Aditya Thackeray and Milind Deora underscores the ongoing political tensions in Mumbai. While Thackeray emphasizes the need to preserve the integrity of the Coastal Road project and protect public spaces, Deora stresses the importance of focusing on substantial developmental work. As Mumbai continues to grow and evolve, the city's political leaders remain deeply engaged in shaping its future trajectory.