During the Maharashtra Assembly Budget Session, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe directed the state government to submit detailed information within eight days regarding the proposed grand statue of Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray and the status of public facilities along the Samruddhi Highway.
The issue was raised in the Legislative Council by member Hemant Patil, who questioned the delay in implementing the announcement made three years ago to install a grand statue of the late Shiv Sena chief at the site of the highway named after him. He asked the government, “In how many days exactly will this statue be erected?”
Responding to the query, Minister of State Meghna Bordikar said, “I will be able to speak about this only after getting complete information. I will inform the honorable members after getting complete information.”
Intervening in the discussion, Dr. Gorhe stated that the matter concerns the public at large and is not limited to a single member’s concern. She instructed the government to present a comprehensive written statement before the House within eight days while the session is ongoing.
She also highlighted complaints regarding 22 food plazas reportedly operating along the Samruddhi Highway but allegedly lacking proper facilities. Suggesting transparency, she recommended that officials record videos of these locations during morning and evening hours and present them to legislators next week. “Rather than us MLAs repeatedly saying this, the administration should clarify the actual situation. Show it to us and the concerned MLAs,” she said.
Dr. Gorhe further pointed to persistent issues with women’s toilet facilities. “I myself have recently been to Nashik and will visit again. Although the paperwork is being shown to be complete, in reality, there are complaints from people that the facilities are not available in some places. It is also necessary to check whether there are any shortcomings in supervision,” she said.
She also emphasised the need to update accurate details about facilities, restaurants and service centres on Google Maps to ensure commuters can easily locate operational amenities.
Source: Lokmat
