In a candid conversation, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde opened up about his journey to the state's top office and his approach to governance. Touching upon pressing issues such as waterlogging and road conditions in Mumbai, Shinde outlined his strategies for addressing these challenges. Regarding waterlogging, he emphasised the importance of proactive measures such as cleaning major drains before the onset of monsoon. He also assured that Mumbai would be free of potholes in 2.5 years.


During an interview on Maniesh Paul's podcast, CM Shinde remarked, "Before building a road or any project, excavation is done, but Mumbai will become completely pothole-free in the next 2-2.5 years. There will be some inconvenience now but there will be a lot of peace in the future. 100 percent."


He acknowledged the disruption caused by roadworks across the city for infrastructure improvements and assured residents that these temporary inconveniences are necessary for the city's development and will lead to long-term benefits from the new projects.


Touching upon pressing issues such as waterlogging and road conditions in Mumbai, he said,  "I was not the CM earlier. Everyone knows who looked after the work in BMC. After I became CM, I called the commissioner and asked him, 'Every monsoon people have to face potholes. How much has been spent in the last 10-15 years for repair work on the roads before monsoon?' He said Rs 3500 crore."


 "This was the daal mein kaala, black in white, all this was a scam. If repair work doesn't happen, money won't come. I shut down their business. 700-800 kms of roads will be made of concrete, so their business will be closed every year. People should get the facilities they deserve, and I am working on it," he remarked.


He emphasised that the waterlogging had been reduced to a great extent while highlighting his measures behind the same and said, "Before the rains start, the major drains are cleaned. I had visited with the commissioner and said that if the cleaning of drains is good, then there won't be any waterlogging. I identified spots and went there. After the inspection, an action plan was discussed. I said where there won't be waterlogging, I will honour that officer, and where there is waterlogging, the officer will be responsible, and I will take action against them."


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Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde On His 'Grassroots' Approach, Swipe At Uddhav Thackeray


When asked about his childhood aspirations and whether he ever envisioned becoming a Chief Minister watching Anil Kapoor starrer 'Nayak', Shinde responded, "While films may inspire, reality is reality and nothing else. I never thought I would become this; I kept working. I really like serving the public."


Reflecting on his journey, Shinde emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement in both social and political spheres. He stressed the significance of hard work and focused determination in achieving success, underscoring his commitment to serving the people.


Shinde stated, "I am a party worker at the grassroots level. I have a habit of going to the ground and working. Only then do you understand the actual situation, take immediate action, and see instant results."


He recalled his visit to the Raigad landslide site and mentioned that affected families and rescue teams receive moral support when the CM visits.


Shinde also took a swipe at the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, criticising compromises made in ideology and coalition politics. "1.5-2 years ago when Uddhav Ji became CM, he compromised with Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology, and the government should have been BJP-Shiv Sena, but the Shiv Sena-Congress and NCP coalition government was not a natural one. When I felt that the party's existence was in danger, when injustice was being done to us, which should not have happened, I decided that now I have to fight tooth and nail. It was a do-or-die fight. When I make a decision, I don't even listen to myself," he remarked.


For the uninitiated, Eknath Shinde's rebellion led to the collapse of Uddhav Thackeray's government also causing a split in Shiv Sena which was founded by Uddhav's father Bal Thackeray.