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

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad. Pic/Mumbai Congress

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad on Monday said that there is a need for separate rules and regulations for women firefighters.

The 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 Navratri.

The Congress leader also spoke with women firefighters and heard their stories of achievements and hardships.

According to the party, at present, over 200 women firefighters are working in the fire department and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men when it comes to fire safety in Mumbai.

The firefighters pointed out at lack of separate rules and regulations for women.

Some 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 said.

Gaikwad assured she will follow up with the Municipal Commissioner to formulate separate rules and regulations for women employees of the fire department.

"Their struggle doesn't 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 Gaikwad.

Earlier, 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 benefits".

"To solve the traffic congestion crisis, the MVA had emphasised on launching multiple projects including the Goregaon-Mulund link road, Dahisar-Bhayandar 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 don't seem to have time for important things. They are busy poaching and breaking other parties," Gaikwad claimed.

Mumbaikars go through gruelling hours on a daily basis and these projects are much-needed for them. If the government is not executing the projects, then they should be answerable to Mumbaikars, she said.

Gaikwad said the Goregaon-Mulund link road was supposed to cost Rs 6,301 crore, but the price has increased two-fold to Rs 12,013 crore. The cost of Dahisar-Bhayander elevated road has reached from Rs 1,981 crore to Rs 3,304 crore.

The cost of the coastal route has also increased by over Rs 1,000 crore. For the Vikhroli railway flyover, Rs 95 crore will be spent now instead of Rs 37 crore earlier, the Congress leader said.

"The 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 1,700 crore on fake colours and lights in the name of beautification. The Shinde-Fadnavis-Pawar government has no vision of sustainable development," Gaikwad claimed.