Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) The Maharashtra government is working on strengthening the urban mobility network in the state and exploring alternative modes of transport to ease the congestion in Mumbai, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday told the legislative assembly.
He was responding to a calling attention notice by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar regarding a recent train accident in Mumbra that claimed the lives of five commuters.
The government is working on strengthening the urban mobility network and exploring alternative modes of transportation such as waterways, ropeways, and `pod taxis’ in Mumbai, Sarnaik said.
Though railways fall under the Centre’s jurisdiction, the state remains committed to passenger safety, he said, adding that railway officials were directed to implement crowd control measures at stations and reduce fatalities during travel.
The minister also mentioned possible creation of a task force to revise office times of private firms to ease the pressure on public transport.
Action is being taken against malpractices of app-based aggregator transport services, the minister said.
Replying to a debate on another calling attention notice, Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar said a police case was filed in connection with the April 2 accident on the Shegaon-Khamgaon highway that left six people dead and 13 injured.
The incident involved a state transport bus, an SUV and a luxury travel bus.
The PWD has been directed to install speed limit signs and rumblers at the accident spot, he said, replying to a question asked by Congress MLA Nana Patole.
Replying to a calling attention notice about the development of 42 villages in Kolhapur district, Industries Minister Uday Samant announced that the Kolhapur Urban Region Development Authority (KURDA) will be granted the special planning authority status within two months.
The authority covers 42 villages in Karveer and Hatkanangale talukas.
Samant was replying to a notice by MLA Chandradeep Narke. PTI MR KRK
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