Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The city, including Kranti Chowk, has been disfigured by unauthorised banners. With folded hands, I appeal to the municipal commissioner to remove all such banners. Let us set an example by creating a banner-free city,” urged newly appointed mayor Sameer Rajurkar, addressing the municipal and police administration.
In response, however, municipal commissioner G Sreekanth expressed indirect helplessness over the issue of illegal banners. “When my officers and staff go to remove banners, we receive calls from various quarters, which I cannot disclose here. Now, we are even receiving threats such as ‘We will see you in the general body (GB) meeting,’” he said. In a way, the civic chief himself indirectly expressed helplessness regarding the issue of unauthorised banner installations.
The birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be celebrated across the city on February 19. Various social and cultural programmes are being organised with great enthusiasm. In this context, the city police convened a coordination meeting at Tapadiya Natyagruh on Monday. During the meeting, citizens expressed displeasure over issues such as substance abuse, unclean roads, garbage accumulation and wastewater flowing along procession routes.
Among those present were mayor Sameer Rajurkar, Commissioner of Police Pravin Pawar, Municipal Commissioner G Sreekanth, Prithviraj Pawar, BJP city president Kishor Shitole, corporators Anil Makariye and Baban Didore Patil, deputy commissioners of police Prashant Swami and Ratnakar Navale, tehsildar Umesh Patil and Jyotiram Patil.
‘See a pole, put up a banner’ mentality on the rise
The mayor who attended briefly due to a busy schedule, appealed in his five-minute address to celebrate an ideal Shiv Jayanti. Instead of unnecessary expenditure, he suggested organising expert lectures on Shivaji Maharaj’s economics, military strategy, governance and agricultural policies to inspire the younger generation.
He also expressed concern over the rampant unauthorised banners across the city, particularly at Kranti Chowk. “As an admirer of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I request the municipal commissioner to remove these banners,” he said.
Responding to this, the civic chief remarked that action against illegal banners could be taken at any time. However, he noted that a “see a pole, put up a banner” mentality has gained ground in the city, with party workers and office-bearers leaving hardly a single pole vacant. “Whenever we attempt action, calls start pouring in from various quarters. I cannot disclose from whom. Now we are even being threatened with statements such as ‘We will deal with you in the GB meeting,’” he added.
‘Despite being an IAS officer, I hesitated to take my daughters to Kranti Chowk’
Several suggestions were also made regarding the grand procession and crowds at Kranti Chowk. Families traditionally gather there to witness the Shiv Jayanti celebrations. Women attendees demanded that barricading be arranged to create a separate, secure area for women and girls.
The civic chief G Sreekanth appealed for a DJ-free celebration at Kranti Chowk and shared a personal experience. He said that when DJs are played, unruly youths often join the procession. “Last year, I dressed one of my daughters as Maa Jijau and the other as Shivaji Maharaj. They wished to visit Kranti Chowk. However, despite being an IAS officer, I did not have the courage to take my daughters there due to the chaos,” he said.
He appealed for this year’s celebrations to be enthusiastic yet DJ-free and safe for families, urging volunteers to come forward to ensure orderly conduct.
Commissioner claims city is pothole-free
Expressing satisfaction that no questions were raised regarding potholes during the meeting, the municipal commissioner claimed that the city had been made pothole-free. The municipal corporation has procured a machine capable of filling potholes within an hour. He assured that every pothole along the Shiv Jayanti procession route would be repaired. He also instructed city engineers during the meeting to ensure that roads under other departments are similarly repaired.