‘Maharashtra paralysed by rain’, Supriya Sule seeks state emergency

Pune: Following widespread disruption across Maharashtra due to torrential rainfall, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) National Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Monday issued a sharp critique of the state administration.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Sule demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis immediately review the situation and declare a state emergency. Her statement comes in the wake of collapsed transit links between Mumbai and Pune, multiple landslides, an accident in Mankhurd, and severe infrastructure damage across the region.

Sule noted that heavy downpours are not a new phenomenon for Mumbai or Pune, but emphasised that the current level of infrastructure failure is unprecedented.

“Rain is not new to Mumbai and Pune; the state has witnessed heavy downpours before. However, the scenes we are witnessing today have never been seen before. This is deeply concerning. The Chief Minister must immediately assess the situation and declare a state emergency. Devendra Fadnavis needs to address the public and clarify the actual ground reality in Maharashtra,” she stated.

She highlighted that the continuous downpour has shut down key arterial routes, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, and the newly developed ‘Missing Link’ project. Furthermore, local train services have faced major disruptions, flooding has hit Alandi, and reports of landslides and caved-in roads are emerging from multiple districts.

Sule raised serious concerns regarding the engineering and safety standards of mega infrastructure projects, particularly the highly publicised Missing Link project on the expressway.

“This project was inaugurated with great pomp and show, and it was welcomed by everyone. However, the videos emerging from the site now are deeply shocking. Massive public funds were spent on this project, yet the expected results are missing. The government must answer: Was a proper safety audit conducted? Was there any planning to mitigate natural disasters?” she questioned.

She extended this criticism to ongoing projects in Vasai-Virar, Bhandup, Mumbai and other areas, alleging a lack of foresight regarding public safety and environmental impact.

Sule demanded a transparent, high-level inquiry into the total expenditure, safety clearances and disaster preparedness of these initiatives. With transit halted across the Tamhini Ghat, the Old Highway and the Expressway, Sule pointed out that connectivity between Maharashtra’s two economic engines has effectively broken down.

“The entire state seems paralysed by a single spell of rain. In such a scenario, what happens to patients, doctors, students, or citizens travelling for essential or emergency work? The government must show some consideration for them,” she added, accusing the ruling coalition of prioritising political vendettas over public safety and disaster management.

Shifting focus to national politics, Sule touched upon allegations of corruption regarding civic infrastructure near the Ayodhya temple, stating that since Lord Ram is a centrepiece of national faith, a thorough investigation is required.

She confirmed that the INDIA bloc would aggressively raise this issue in the upcoming Parliament session and discuss it at its next alliance meeting.

Finally, addressing rumours about a potential merger between the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Indian National Congress, Sule dismissed the speculation. She noted that while both parties have worked together seamlessly on mutual trust for 27 years and will continue to work together, any talks regarding a formal merger are strictly confined to media speculation and have no basis in internal party discussions.

IANS