Ritu Tawde has outlined the civic administration’s plans to address key urban challenges in Mumbai, including traffic congestion, declining air quality, transport issues, and shrinking green cover, while defending the large-scale infrastructure projects currently underway across the city.
Speaking during a discussion marking her first 100 days in office, Tawde said the city’s long-term transformation is closely linked to major transport and infrastructure upgrades initiated over the past several years. She stated that expansion of the Metro network would significantly improve urban mobility and help ease congestion across Mumbai.
According to Tawde, the state government has prioritised strengthening Mumbai’s transportation systems since 2014, with Metro development emerging as one of the key focus areas. She said the completion of the larger Metro network would accelerate the city’s transformation and reduce pressure on existing road infrastructure.
The Mayor also highlighted plans to develop transit and transport hubs at major entry points into the city. These hubs are expected to reduce the movement of heavy vehicles and traffic within core urban areas while improving overall connectivity.
Addressing concerns around worsening air quality, Tawde acknowledged that dust generated from both public infrastructure works and private construction activity has contributed to the city’s declining Air Quality Index (AQI). However, she maintained that the ongoing development projects are necessary for Mumbai’s future growth.
She said, “Mumbai is taking shape. We have undertaken massive road concretisation and several bridge projects, and there are other infrastructure projects currently underway by public agencies, such as the Metro Railway. Development is happening on a massive scale in Mumbai, which is essential for the city’s future.”
Tawde added that while infrastructure construction has created temporary inconvenience for residents, builders and developers have been directed to reduce water consumption and strictly comply with dust mitigation measures and standard operating procedures to minimise pollution levels.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
