Maharashtra polls: "Gaothans are not slums," says Asif Zakaria

As Maharashtra gears up for the 2024 elections Asif Zakaria the Congress candidate from Bandra West is ready to take on his rival Ashish Shelar of the BJP Zakaria who has contested the seat in the past believes that this time the tides will turn in favour of the Congress especially with the support of the INDIA blocA longstanding connection with Bandra WestZakaria a seasoned politician acknowledges the challenges faced by the residents of Bandra West particularly in the slum pockets and gaothans traditional villages Gaothans are not slums and they should not be treated as such There have been numerous promises of special schemes for these areas but nothing has been implemented Zakaria said He expressed concern that these gaothans might soon be handed over to corporates like Ambani and Adani for redevelopment leaving the original residents without adequate protectionWater supply woesZakaria highlights the inadequate water supply as a major issue in the constituency especially in areas like Khar Danda Despite promises of 247 water supply Zakaria points out that many localities still face water pressure issues The BMCrsquos plans have failed to address the core problem he said He believes a holistic plan with a longterm vision is required to solve these waterrelated issuesTackling pollution and infrastructure issuesBandra residents have been facing rising pollution levels particularly due to dust from ongoing infrastructure projects Zakaria criticises the current government for not implementing pollution mitigation measures properly There are rules in place to tackle air and sound pollution but they are not being enforced he said He proposes a more stringent approach to monitoring construction sites to curb pollution and improve air qualityZakaria also criticises the construction of largescale infrastructure projects such as the development of Bandras roads which he believes has only led to an increase in pollution He suggests that a focus on pollution mitigation strategies is needed alongside urban developmentJob creation and economic opportunitiesJob creation is another significant issue for Zakaria He laments that the current government has failed to create an environment conducive to industrial growth Industries are being shifted to Gujarat and this is hurting job opportunities for Mumbaikars he said Zakaria advocates for policies that will support local industries and create jobs within Mumbai and Maharashtra rather than outsourcing them to other statesAddressing resident concernsZakaria like Shelar faces criticism for not being responsive to certain local issues He has been accused of losing touch with the community particularly on issues like the renovation of Patwardhan Park and Bandra Fort However Zakaria argues that the current MLA has made decisions without consulting the public and the lack of community engagement has led to dissatisfaction among residents He promises to be more accessible to Bandras residents and prioritise their concernsThe road ahead for Bandra WestWith the 2024 elections looming Zakaria believes the Congress will have a strong chance of winning Bandra West this time around The INDIA bloc is a strong alternative and the people of Bandra West want change he said Zakaria is confident that his approach which emphasises inclusivity infrastructure and job creation will resonate with voters in the upcoming electionIn conclusion Zakariarsquos campaign revolves around addressing basic issues like water pollution and redevelopment while also pushing for better economic opportunities and policies that prioritise the needs of Bandrarsquos residents If elected he promises a peoplecentric approach focusing on community consultation and longterm solutions for the constituency