Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that people will have to wear a mask for at least another six months to stay protected from the Covid-19 pandemic. He said residents should follow proper Covid behavior to avoid imposing restrictions like night curfew and lockdown, urging them to learn from the UK and European countries where lockdown has been re-imposed to contain the pandemic.
“Recently, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that people will have to wear masks even after receiving an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine. In my opinion, wearing a mask is necessary for at least six months. Wear masks in public places for the sake of your family and society in general. Masks can protect us from the pandemic. We will have to be vigilant as we welcome the New Year, ”Thackeray said in his live address to the people of the state.
He said he does not believe in imposing a lockdown or night curfew as suggested by experts. “I have expert suggestions for imposing a night curfew or lockdown before the New Year, but I don’t think it’s necessary. We have learned what to do and what will happen if certain things from the past are not followed, although the danger is yet to pass, “said the prime minister.
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He also took shots at the central government for allegedly “obstructing” the transfer of the Metro-3 car shed from the Aarey colony in Goregaon to Kanjurmarg.
He said it would be inappropriate for both the Center and the state to start halting each other’s projects. “Why are you doing this?” He questioned, while referring to a petition filed by the Center with the Bombay High Court claiming ownership of the Kanjurmarg plot. Thackeray urged the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to resolve the impasse, claiming that his government’s decision was in the interest of the people and not to satisfy his own ego.
He claimed that the state government decided to choose the Kanjurmarg parcel to build a larger car shed with two additional lines. “The plot size in Kanjurmarg is 40 hectares, while in Aarey, we obtained only 25 hectares, and to expand the project we will need more land after 25-50 years. Also, in Kanjurmarg, we can build sheds for three lines, such as: Metro-3, 4 and 6. Now tell me if the decision to move the shed to Kanjurmarg is to satisfy my ego or is it in the interest of the people, ”he asked.
Thackeray said the salt commissioner, who works under the central government, filed a petition in the high court claiming ownership of the Kanjurmarg plot.
“Why are you doing this? The problem could have been solved by sitting together. The plot is not owned by me or yours. It is owned by the people and it would have been better if we could use it for them,” he said.
“It would be inappropriate for both of us to begin to obstruct the projects undertaken by the other. I urge the opposition (BJP) to initiate and resolve. I am willing to give you the credit. I’m not doing this for my ego, ”Thackeray said.
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The state government and central governments disagree on the transfer of the car shed from the Metro-3 line to Kanjurmarg. The state government, in October, decided to scrap the Metro wagon shed at Aarey Milk Colony and move it to Kanjurmarg. It has also decided to integrate the Metro-3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) and Metro-6 (Swami Samarth Nagar-Vikhroli) lines.
Responding to Thackeray’s appeal, BJP state spokesman Keshav Upadhye said the prime minister still misleads people.
“CM Thackeray is not disclosing the concerns raised by the committee headed by Manoj Saunik, additional chief secretary of the finance department, about the relocation of Aarey Colony’s Metro-3 car shed. Where is the techno-economic feasibility study for the Kanjurmarg plot? How can you solve the problem when the prime minister doesn’t tell people the truth? He (Uddhav Thackeray) has made it an ego problem and that is why he chose to move the car shed to Kanjurmarg, ”said Upadhye.
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