Mid-Day has introduced a new initiative: DEAR GOVERNMENT.
In this your favourite newspaper will print your questions to BMC, Police and State Government every Monday, and will get answers on your behalf. Be it roads, water crime, government policy, whatever your query, write to us at mailbag@mid-day.com or tweet to us at @mid-day and we will try and get responses to your problems.
Problems
Hazardous air quality
I am a resident of Ulwe, and I want to bring to your attention the hazardous air quality we are facing due to ongoing construction and stone crushers in the area. Attached is a photo taken at 1 AM, showing the air thick with dust. Despite regulations, there are no dust suppression measures (like water sprinklers or green nets) being used. This is a massive health risk for children and senior citizens in the locality. We request you to highlight this issue so that authorities like MPCB, CIDCO, and PMC take immediate action.
– A concerned citizen
Can’t breathe here
The AQI in Santacruz-West was 252 on March 13. The ongoing developmental projects have added to the pollution. People have been suffering from cough and respiratory ailments for days. Doctors are advising people to wear masks compulsorily around construction sites. Unfortunately, ordinary cloth masks are ineffective. Only N95 masks are. But the question is: How many people can afford even a disposable N95 mask?
Representation Pic/Atul Kamble
Each disposable mask costs Rs 30. Instead of solving the problem at the grassroots level, the issue of pollution has been pushed under the carpet. Why give permissions to innumerable redevelopment projects in one area? Why should we, the residents living in areas surrounding re-developmental projects, suffer the consequences of some contractors’ shoddy work? Don’t taxpaying citizens deserve clean air to breathe?
– Seema Bokkasam
Traffic nightmare
This is to bring to your notice a persistent traffic and safety issue in the lane opposite Domino’s Pizza.14th road Khar West. While we understand the heavy traffic pressure in Khar, the current situation in this specific residential lane has become untenable for the safety of pedestrians, particularly our senior citizens. We would like to highlight the following three areas that require your immediate administrative attention:
Systemic “No Entry” Violations: This lane is frequently misused as a high-speed shortcut by vehicles entering from the wrong direction.
Double Parking: Regular double parking on both sides of the road has significantly reduced the motorable and walkable width of the lane. We request the authorities to conduct a site visit.
– Girish Shah
Need a Metro here
There is a need for authorities concerned to introduce metro services from Vasai to Kurla, which will reduce the travel woes of many people, mainly students, workers and residents who will travel on this route without changing two or more modes of transport.
– Cajetaan Peter D’Souza
Responses
After Mumbaikars sent in their questions and woes to mid-day last Monday, some of the authorities concerned responded. We haven’t given up on the rest. We shall continue to hold authorities accountable for the state of the city.
Holi remnants
Iqbal Gilani Mansuri
Response: A BMC official said, “The area where the remnants of the Holi burning rituals that were lying on the road have been cleared so that daily commuters and residents using the road don’t have to face inconvenience.”
Coastal Rd Promenade issue
Dr Sugandha Karapurkar
Response: A senior BMC official said the Coastal Road promenade is under the contractors’ defect liability period. L&T is responsible up to Haji Ali and Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) from Haji Ali to the Sea Link. Civil repair work is job of the contractors. Contractors must conduct monthly inspections and report to the BMC, which then directs repairs. Last month, the BMC asked the contractor to fix stolen staircase rods at promenade subways. Repairs are carried out on a monthly cycle.
Encroached footpath
Usha Jayakumar
Response: A senior BMC official said clearing footpaths of unauthorised hawkers across the city is a priority for BMC. Cooking on open flames on pavements is illegal. Over a course of one month ward offices are taking action and evicting illegal vendors across the city. The civic body is also in the process of surveying licensed hawkers to address encroachments of pedestrian walkways across the city.
In case of emergencies citizens can report hazards involving oil or open-flame cooking to the BMC helpline 1916 or the Fire Brigade.
Endless bridge work
Mansoor Umesh Darvesh
Response: An MMRDA official said the BMC proposed a 5.08 km flyover from New Link Road (near Infinity Mall) to Poonam Nagar on JVLR to ease congestion between Andheri West and Jogeshwari West. Of this, 0.93 km has already been built. Due to overlap with Metro Line 6, the remaining work has been handed to MMRDA. The project includes a 120 m cable-stayed bridge over the WEH and Metro Line 7 and is 53% complete. Noise barriers will be added if required. The flyover is expected to reduce travel time.
