This is an archive article published on May 22, 2024
‘Mumbai’s infra development to bring about socio-economic transformation’: BMC Commissioner
The municipal commissioner was speaking to reporters during a brainstorming session 'Making Mumbai, Liveable, Modern City' at the Mumbai Press Club on Tuesday.
The municipal commissioner was speaking to reporters during a brainstorming session 'Making Mumbai, Liveable, Modern City' at the Mumbai Press Club on Tuesday. (File Photo)
Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and state appointed administrator Bhushan Gagrani, who completed two months of his tenure this week, said on Tuesday that the visual transformation that Mumbai is witnessing owing to its infrastructure development will result in the maximum city’s socio-economic transformation as well.
“Earlier, when the Mumbai-Pune expressway was planned, there were a lot of apprehensions across sectors about this project. However today, Pune has emerged as one of the major IT and automobile hubs in India and the factor contributing behind its growth is the expressway, which has paved the way for development. In a similar way, the infrastructure projects that we are building today is going to bring about socio-economic impact in Mumbai,” said Gagrani.
The municipal commissioner was speaking to reporters during a brainstorming session ‘Making Mumbai, Liveable, Modern City’ at the Mumbai Press Club on Tuesday.
“The coastal road and MTHL will lead to an equilibrium in Mumbai’s real estate infrastructure market. Infrastructure projects bring benefits that are not likely to be comprehended immediately at the time of completion but with time, they do bring results,” he added.
Gagrani also maintained that issues such as urban planning, topography and health issues, which Mumbai is experiencing at the moment, is strikingly similar to what cities in the west like London, Manhattan and New York experienced during the 1800s.
Meanwhile, city based architect and panelist P K Das pointed out the importance of increasing the existing green cover of Mumbai and highlighted how rampant construction works have led the maximum city to becoming a heat Island.
“The fact that we are throwing all cushions in the air is a myth. In 1857, when India was fighting it’s first war of Independence, London was building it’s first Metro network. Today London’s total length of Metro lines is 400km, while in Mumbai, we will be building 300km of Metro lines in just 10 years. These are all public transport network which will benefit all sections of society,” Gagrani said.
Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India.
Expertise & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai.
Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in:
Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting.
City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region.
Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis:
National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019.
State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019.
Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis.
Experience
Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies:
Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014).
Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express.
Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More
