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Battle for BMC: Locals fear for ill-health as open drains breed diseases

G-south ward (PAREL, WORLI, BDD CHAWL) Constant construction activity, illegal parking and poor collection of garbage are other issues dogging the area

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Traffic congestion during peak hours can be seen on various stretches of the ward
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Overview

In recent years, most parts of G-South ward have seen rapid commercial growth and constant construction activity on high rises. The ward occupies 10 sq km area and covers important commercial and residential localities like Worli, Prabhadevi, Mahalakshmi, Parel, Lalbaug, BDD Chawl and Worli gaothan.

Residents have voiced their dissatisfaction with civic works in the area, with residents of BDD Chawl saying that there has not been any major change since Snehal Ambekar became the mayor. Garbage lifting and condition of parks in the vicinity have in fact deteriorated.

The ward houses a number of important commercial units and therefore sees a high influx of people everyday. Traffic congestion during peak hours can be seen on various stretches of the ward. Residents complain that frequent digging up on road leads to traffic congestion, with Parel and Worli being the worst affected.

Residents of the ward live in constant fear of falling ill due to malaria and other diseases. The century old BDD chawls in Worli, N M Joshi Marg and Sewree have already received approval for redevelopment.

Political scenario

Mayor Snehal Ambekar represents the ward. Of the 9 seats, Shiv Sena holds four while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Nationalist Congress Party hold 3 and 2 seats respectively.

G-South ward falls in South Mumbai which is represented by MLA Sunil Shinde of Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant. The political scenario of the ward will change completely after delimitation as the number of seats will come down to 7. And, of the 7 seats, five seats are new to this ward.

Seats which are represented by Sunil Ahir of NCP and Snehal Ambekar of Shiv Sena have remained with G-South ward, while five seats of F-South are introduced in the ward.

Shiv Sena has a hold in both G and F South wards, and is confident of doing well in the 2017 polls. Post delimitation, political observers feel that that MNS may face an uphill battle as it does not have much presence in F-South.

issues

Residents living along NM Joshi Marg want the Monorail to be completed as soon as possible as it will ease traffic and give them an option for commuting

Influx of people has multiplied in the last few years. However, the road infrastructure continues to be the same.
Motorists struggle as there is traffic congestion in most parts of the ward. Illegal parking along roads is one of the major reason of traffic congestion.

Residents are concerned over drains in the ward that are left open. They live in constant fear of infestation of contaminating disease. Manholes are either left uncovered or have uneven lids that barely do the job.

Residents have time and again raised an alarm about the poor safety measures at a number of under construction high rises. It is a serious threat for people living around in the area.

Residents speak

The Monorail project should be completed as soon as possible. The ongoing work of Monorail leads to traffic congestion at several places in the ward and the very purpose of this project to ease traffic does not seem to take place.
—Pravin Kumar,
Resident of Currey Road

The civic body should concentrate on maintaining hygiene in the ward. Drainages are open at various places and local corporator does not pay attention to these issues. In spite of repeated complaints, the problem continues to prevail.
—Vinay Mishra, Resident of Worli

The official word

Dr Bhagyashree Kapse, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, says, "We have taken a number of initiatives to keep the ward clean and the ward is now free from open defecation. In order to discourage open defecation, we have planned to construct 136 community toilets and this process will be completed as soon as possible. Until the completion of these toilets, mobile toilets have been installed. We are also removing litter bins, and in the next one month the process will be completed. Open drains are not a major issue in G-South ward. There is a different department that looks after safety issues at construction sites, but whenever they receive complaints BMC officials visit the sites and send a notice if required. Sometimes, we also ask them to rectify their measures."

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