Mumbai: Separate rules for women firefighters are a must, says Varsha Gaikwad

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad on Monday said that there is a need for separate rules and regulations for women firefightersThe Mumbai Congress chief met and felicitated women firefighters for their unflinching commitment and service towards the city and citizens Gaikwad visited the Wadala Fire Brigade and Training Centre as a part of Mumbai Congress initiative to felicitate women from all walks of life on the occasion of NavratriThe Congress leader also spoke with women firefighters and heard their stories of achievements and hardshipsAccording to the party at present over 200 women firefighters are working in the fire department and stand shouldertoshoulder with men when it comes to fire safety in MumbaiThe firefighters pointed out at lack of separate rules and regulations for womenSome of them narrated that they have to perform their duties even during their pregnancy On one hand they have a duty to attend the fire calls and even report to the ground to douse the fire while on the other hand they have to run their own house as well Gaikwad saidGaikwad assured she will follow up with the Municipal Commissioner to formulate separate rules and regulations for women employees of the fire departmentTheir struggle doesnt end after joining the service They have to assume two roles and shoulder dual responsibilities They have to constantly prove to the families that their choice was right while also proving their mettle on the field Mumbai Congress will not only follow up with the commissioner but also raise the issue of separate rules for women in the Mantralaya said Varsha GaikwadEarlier Gaikwad demanded an audit of expenses of all projects in the MMR and sought to know whether their cost increase was deliberate and decided for mutual benefitsTo solve the traffic congestion crisis the MVA had emphasised on launching multiple projects including the GoregaonMulund link road DahisarBhayandar elevated corridor Vikhroli railway flyover and coastal road besides concretisation of more roads However since the current government came to power these projects have been stalled as they dont seem to have time for important things They are busy poaching and breaking other parties Gaikwad claimedMumbaikars go through gruelling hours on a daily basis and these projects are muchneeded for them If the government is not executing the projects then they should be answerable to Mumbaikars she saidGaikwad said the GoregaonMulund link road was supposed to cost Rs 6301 crore but the price has increased twofold to Rs 12013 crore The cost of DahisarBhayander elevated road has reached from Rs 1981 crore to Rs 3304 croreThe cost of the coastal route has also increased by over Rs 1000 crore For the Vikhroli railway flyover Rs 95 crore will be spent now instead of Rs 37 crore earlier the Congress leader saidThe MVA expedited the projects during the pandemic However these projects have been stuck for over a year Instead of these projects the government wasted Rs 1700 crore on fake colours and lights in the name of beautification The ShindeFadnavisPawar government has no vision of sustainable development Gaikwad claimed