Making Housing Affordable In Mumbai

In a city like Mumbai, owning a house is indeed difficult and it is the dream of every family. To make it a reality, Gurudas Kamat ensured that the flat process of MHADA (Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority) is sold at cost plus administrative charges (no profit). Since this model will involve no profit it will benefit thousands of flat applicants and will help them get the housing at affordable rates.

It was a difficult phase as Kamat ji had to voice out against the steps taken by the then CEO and VP of MHADA, Mr. Chandrashekhar. Mr. Chandrashekhar had unilaterally announced a hike in the rates of MHADA flats. This step of his was not in the favour of the common people’s interests. Kamat ji along with the MLA’s protested against the MHADA Act. The three hour meeting ended with Mr. Chandrashekhar being dispensed with one of his responsibilities that very evening and it ended with Mr. Chandrashekhar’s resignation.

He continued his fight for the rights of low and medium income families. His agitation benefitted thousands of families to get bigger accommodation. This revolt ensured the re-development of MHADA Colonies in Aram Nagar and DN Nagar in Versova, Shastri Nagar in Goregaon, Tilak Nagar in Chembur, Pant Nagar in Ghatkopar and Kannamwar nagar in Vikhroli and other MHADA Colonies all over Mumbai.

This is why I admire Gurudas Kamat ji. He understands the pains and woes of the common people and constantly works towards resolving the same.  This total dedication and uncompromising commitment to people's work is what distinguishes Kamat ji’s political style from other politicians. 

Mumbai’s Janta Darbar with Gurudas Kamat

In the last blog ( http://bit.ly/GurudasKamatMP ) I discussed how the dedication and sincerity of Gurudas Kamat ji got the residents of Nagri Nivara, in Goregaon East their conveyance deed and property cards for which they were fighting for 29 years. This connectivity with the people is what differentiates Mr. Kamat from other politicians. For years he has been hosting Janta Darbars where he meets with the residents of different areas, listens to all their woes and tries resolving them too.

Janta Darbars with Gurudas Kamat in Mumbai 

This is no publicity stunt but it is public service meant for the betterment of common public. This style of politics is what helps Kamat ji to understand the needs and wants of the people belonging to his constituency (North West Mumbai). 

With the slogan “Apke Khaasdar Apke Dwar and Apke Khaasdar Apke Dwaar Phir Ek Baar," 

Kamat ji meets his constituents on a regular basis in their respective areas to ensure that no issues go unattended. 

He meets with his constituents and people from all over Mumbai and from different parts of Maharashtra on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 9:30 AM till the last visitor has had the opportunity to meet him. People are informed via SMS and pamphlets in their respective areas. It is true that real heroes work behind the camera and Gurudas Kamat has been consistently executing this for his last 5 terms in office since 1984 and it is indeed exceptional.

His mission of being accessible to all is being fulfilled with these Janta Darbars. Also, his mission of brother-hood, peace and harmony is translated in true senses in these Darbars. 

Delivering the Promises

We often blame the government offices and their officials for being laid back and we for sure hate it when our work gets postponed because of their laziness. Few years back people in Mumbai of the North-West constituency were facing a fairly similar problem. The people of this area were struggling to get their conveyance deed and property cards done for the last 29 years. 29 years- yes indeed! Common people could not find out a solution for this long!  

In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Gurudas Kamat ji campaigned from Mumbai’s North West constituency, and promised the citizens of Nagri Nivara, in Goregaon East that he would help them win their struggle of 29 years. He promised that if he gets elected he will ensure the conveyance within a year.

Leaders are often seen making tall promises around election time but Kamat ji was different. He knew the problems of the people and was determined to solve their woes. And as mentioned earlier, unlike others, Kamat ji delivered his promise without any terms and conditions and without fooling the people. A task that was incomplete for last 29 years leading to lack of clear title for these residents, Mr. Kamat through his unwavering initiative ensured that conveyance was done before his first year in office was over.

In a grand function on April 11th, 2010, the collector handed the conveyance deeds to Nagri Nivara Societies.

This is one of the examples of Kamat ji’s dedication and sincerity towards his work. He knows the needs of the people and his policies are developed keeping the same in mind. Our country needs leaders like Gurudas Kamat to steer the whole growth and empowerment process in the right direction. 

Shaping Mumbai- The first step

Mumbai- The first thing that comes to one’s mind after hearing this name is the fast life that the city offers. This thought is often followed by the word chaos; chaos that a thousand of Mumbaikars feel while commuting daily to their work place. Understanding this and various other commuting problems

that the people of Mumbai have to deal with, Gurudas Kamat, from his very 1^st election in 1984 had delicately worked towards improving the very same scenario.  

Kamat ji realised that majority of the citizens of Mumbai utilized the Suburban Train services for daily travel to their work places and back, apart from the BEST services. His tireless work towards ensuring better train services led to the Mumbai Urban Transport-Phase-II project, which was conceived to upgrade the basic transportation structure of the city. Through this project he ensured the implementation of two additional tracks between Kurla and Thane. The people of these areas were benefited a lot as the project turned out to be a boon for them.

Gurudas Kamat from the very beginning has been a leader of the masses. He truly believes that if one understands the problem of the people, pursuing and implementing development projects becomes easier. Apart from this project, Kamat ji has consistently fought for the lengthening of the platforms. It was a long struggle which is now seeing completion due to the regular follow-up done by him and his team. He also got 15 coach trains started on the Western Railway at Andheri Station in 2009. All these steps have led to infrastructural development in Mumbai at a fast pace. Kamat ji’s pro-people policies have indeed guaranteed a better life for Aam Mumbaikars.