Mumbai: A game of ward-le ahead of BMC elections

Citizens wait to cast their votes during the 2017 BMC polls, at Jogeshwari. File/Nimesh Dave

In the run-up to the BMC elections, the civic body on Tuesday sought suggestions and objections from citizens and political parties to its ward restructuring exercise. Following the state cabinet's decision, the number of wards in the city has been increased to 236 from 227. Political parties, however, have raised questions over the tinkering of ward boundaries. Many have formed committees to study the changes on the ground.

After the state decided to raise the number of wards in the city citing population growth, the BMC had submitted a draft of the revised ward plan to the Election Commission. The commission recently asked the civic chief to publish the draft, which has been uploaded on the BMC's website. "Citizens can access it in the ward offices also," said a BMC official, adding that feedback can be given till February 14.

As per the draft, one ward increased each in Byculla (E), Parel (F S) and Worli (G S), Andheri (K E), Kandivli (RS), Dahisar (RN), Kurla (L), Chembur (M W) and Ghatkopar (N).

Though the wards increased in nine administrative areas, the boundaries of almost every ward got changed to adjust the new wards that may create a political debate.

"The wards should be as per the natural boundaries like railway lines, nullah, river and big roads. If the restructured wards are not as per the natural boundaries, we may raise objections to it. Currently, we have asked our corporators to study the changes in their constituencies," said Prabhakar Shinde, group leader of BJP.

"It is a welcome move by the Election Commission. We asked for restructuring of wards based on the population so that every ward will get an equal chance of development. Congress has formed a 10-member committee to look into the changes in the wards at the micro-level and we will put our suggestions based on the study," said Ravi Raja, leader of the opposition and a Congress corporator.

Feb 14
Date till when feedback can be given