CM Eknath Shinde finds Mazgaon ‘unclean’, BMC ward officer is shunted | Mumbai News – Times of India

MUMBAI: The civic official in charge of ‘E’ ward was transferred late Friday after chief minister Eknath Shinde unexpressed his dissatisfaction over “uncleanliness” along Mazgaon Dock area when he visited the place.
A BMC source, however, pointed out that the civic body has no jurisdiction over the ‘unhygienic’ area in question. “That place is outside BMC limits… it’s under the purview of the Port Trust,” the source said strictly on the condition of anonymity.
The transferred official, assistant municipal commissioner Ajay Kumar Yadav could not be reached for his comment.
The chief minister visited the locality for the launch of Mahendragiri, seventh ship of Project 17A Frigates, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. Other dignitaries like the vice-president of India Jagdeep Dhankhar and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis were present at the event.
A circular issued by additional municipal commissioner Sudhakar Shinde stated: ‘Honourable CM, Maharashtra expressed his displeasure regarding the lack of cleanliness observed during his surprise visits to various parts of Mumbai including Mazgaon, Bandra (East), Kalina-Santacruz and Andheri… Hon’ble CM observed that bylanes in these areas were filthy and garbage remained unattended. Also, presence of illegal hoardings and banners in the city compromised with beautification of the city…’
The circular added that the chief minister had said that he would make surprise visits in coming days and ‘if the situation is not improved, strict action be taken on the defaulting officers’.
Municipal commissioner I S Chahal was not available for comment.
Speaking to TOI, Sudhakar Shinde said, “Each ward officer and zonal deputy commissioner have been asked to make field visits for at least two hours anytime between 9am and 11 pm to assess cleanliness onroads and in public toilets. Unless they go on the field, they will not get the correct picture of the situation on ground,” he said.
Former corporator and Samajwadi Party legislator Rais Shaikh expressed concern over the “growing trend of such abrupt and erratic transfers which are creating insecurity among civic officials”.