The ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra laid out a comprehensive, technology-centric blueprint for governing India's financial capital, aiming to secure a mandate in the crucial upcoming Mumbai civic body elections. The manifesto, unveiled on Sunday, 11 January, promises a radical shift towards tech-led solutions to address the city's persistent civic challenges.
Core Promises: From Flood-Free City to Women's Safety
Unveiling the wide-ranging document, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis positioned it as a remedy for what he termed "25 years of inefficiency in civic governance." The alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and RPI (A), aims to combine "Japanese technology" with local administration to deliver services directly to citizens' mobile phones.
A significant focus is on transforming urban transport and enhancing women's safety. The alliance has pledged to double the fleet of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses, expanding it from the current 3,000 to 10,000. This expansion will be coupled with a transition to electric vehicles. In a major populist announcement, the manifesto promises a 50 per cent concession on bus fares for women travellers, a move expected to ease their financial burden and encourage public transport usage.
AI as the Cornerstone for Transparency and Efficiency
The manifesto heavily banks on artificial intelligence to overhaul civic functioning. Devendra Fadnavis declared the alliance's goal is to create a "corruption-free municipal corporation." To achieve this, they plan to deploy AI systems to curb corruption, speed up administrative clearances, and improve service delivery mechanisms.
A key initiative is the "Municipality on your Mobile" platform, intended to bring various civic services to citizens' fingertips. Furthermore, an AI-driven platform will be established to fast-track building approvals and ensure greater transparency in Mumbai's vast real estate sector, a long-standing demand from residents and developers alike.
Future-Proofing Education with AI Labs
Looking beyond immediate civic issues, the manifesto also focuses on preparing the next generation. The alliance has pledged to set up AI labs in all municipal schools across Mumbai. This initiative is designed to equip students with future-ready skills, fostering early exposure to cutting-edge technology and improving the quality of public education.
The overarching theme of the manifesto is a commitment to a "flood-free Mumbai," leveraging technology and efficient governance to solve the city's chronic monsoon woes. By presenting this tech-forward vision, the Mahayuti alliance is asking Mumbaikars for an opportunity to bring what it calls "transparency in civic administration" and usher in a new era of development for the megacity.
