Move government houses to Borivali

It’s a shame that a minister, Nitin Gadkari, has spoken to the Indian Navy in an insulting manner. The union shipping minister’s pompous statement to the Indian Navy, “We are in power and not the navy or the defence ministry…” reeks of irresponsibility. And all because the Navy approached him to seek land for housing.

Gadkari claims the Navy has objected to developmental projects in Mumbai, especially towards a floating jetty at Malabar Hill. Hence his salvo. He has refused to give the Indian Navy land for housing.

But Gadkari should realise the Navy and its concerns are more important than his pet BOT ‘Build, operate and transfer’ projects. He should also not tell the defence forces to do their job, because they always do more than it. Which is why it is upto the country to ensure that whatever else they need, is given to them without issues. Why do our ‘leaders’ fail to understand our soldiers are more important than infrastructure?

Housing is a big headache for the forces, which may or may not have spoken about it. Gadkari says he does not want to part with prime land in south Mumbai. He should realise that our country has most of its land because of our defence forces, not our political leaders. Speaking of which, why do politicians have to stay in government houses in south Mumbai? They can stay in official residences beyond Borivali. Maharashtra can be governed from anywhere in the state. Demolishing government residences in south Mumbai will free more land for developmental projects. After all, as the prime minister said, he is ‘pradhan sevak’. So are all other ministers. Why then do they need lavish houses in south Mumbai?

But even if the Navy does not get more land for housing in south Mumbai, it is high time that its current residences there are rebuilt or repaired. Perhaps it needs more land to build new housing and shift those currently staying in dangerous quarters there. Most of their houses do seem very dangerous. Many houses for Army personnel are in the same condition. It is thanks to Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw’s vision that many houses were built for Army personnel, but they need urgent attention now. It is a sad fact that Indian defence personnel know that the Pakistani defence forces enjoy better attention in all these aspects.

It won’t make much difference if a developmental project does not take off in Mumbai. But it will surely be a matter of shame for all Indians if there is a mishap with houses belonging to our defence forces.