Speak up Mumbai: Can Mumbaikars look forward to a safer 2018?

Within a span of 10 days Mumbai witnessed the loss of 26 innocent lives in two separate incidents of fire, marking the year’s end on a sombre note. What shook the citizens even further was that both tragedies were the result of several irregularities and violations on the part of the authorities concerned.

Fatalities in 2017 also included the death of unsuspecting people who lost their life after a tree came crashing down on them. For the well-known gastroenterologist, Dr Deepak Amrapurkar, death came in the form of an open manhole, in which he slipped during the heavy rain of August 29 this year.

Mumbaikars continued to brave through it all this year — from unending hours spent stuck in sprawling traffic jams caused due to the several infrastructure projects underway across the city to the annual issue of potholes that take no time to dot the city’s roads as soon as the monsoon hits. However, talk of Mumbai’s ‘spirit’ was this year replaced by citizens questioning how their taxes were being utilised by authorities.

As every New Year ushers in fresh hope and new promises, DNA asks Mumbaikars what they’re looking forward to in the coming year and whether they think 2018 will be better for Mumbai.

EXPERT SPEAK 

We should hope that the Monorail becomes successful and attracts people when it’s opened for the public. Moreover, the Railways should ensure that they get more AC locals and increase services. Plus ensure that they balance the pricing in such a way that it is affordable and there is no overcrowding inside the AC train. The government should also do something about the parking issues that bog the city.
—Ashok Datar, transport expert

All department heads of government agencies are expected to address grievances of the citizens and maintain transparency by carrying out proper paper work. Ministers as well as bureaucrats should give priority to the work of citizens, and they should be easily accessible for common citizens. The RTI Act helps citizens to get the government to work easily and the government agencies must ensure that complete work is provided. We expect that they act without delays and save time and resources.
—Anil Galgali, social activist

VOICES

In 2018 I hope that Mumbaikars finally get what they deserve which is a better drainage system, pothole-free roads, broader railway bridges and platforms and safe restaurants! These have been the major concerns of Mumbaikars for many years due to which many innocent people have been losing their lives.
—Archie Vora, Borivali

The state government must complete all infrastructure projects in 2018 especially all Metro-related work. This will make commuting easier as well as clear traffic bottlenecks due to the ongoing construction work across the city. Cleanliness of the city should also be the priority for the administration and citizens.
—Shishir Mitra, Andheri West

The most important thing that should happen in the next year is opening up of public spaces like gardens for the people. Even as gardens and gyms are built with taxpayers’ money, several politicians are trying to privatise them and using them for commercial gain, allowing only those who can afford to pay huge amounts to access them. The corporation should ensure that citizens get the right to such publicly-owned spaces.
—Mayur More, Jogeshwari

In the coming year, I expect pothole-free roads, less crowded and better managed stations, broader foot-overbridges to avoid stampedes, local trains on time and lesser pollution in the city. The year 2017 witnessed too many accidents that could have been avoided. I hope these serve as a lesson and the authorities get their act together.
—Bhushan Worlikar, Worli

The several infrastructure projects going on across the city have resulted in an increase in the pollution levels over the past few days. Not to forget the traffic jams. The roads and footpaths too haven’t been pedestrian-friendly. The civic authority should ensure that pothole-free and cleaner roads for citizens are maintained in the coming year. We also expect a less polluted environment in the city. More open spaces should be made available to the public. For better results, the civic authority should also take immediate action against complaints filed by citizens.
—Smita Bhingarde,  Jogeshwari

In order to make the city function better, we expect the civic and police department to start working in coordination with each other instead of simply passing the buck. It has been seen time and again that they just pass the buck instead of focusing on getting the citizen’s issue resolved. We have seen this on several occasions due to which 2017 witnessed the mishaps it did. In 2018, we want the city better administered.
—Ashok Motwani, Colaba

The city is facing a lot of environmental concerns from trees being felled to the destruction of mangroves to noise pollution and deteriorating rivers. I wish that starting this year every citizen will stand up and raise their to voice to protect the environment, be vigilant and put pressure on the authorities to take environment-related matters seriously.
—Paresh Pimpale, Bandra

I am expecting Mumbai in 2018 to be much safer. Better protection for children, particularly in schools, and the safety and security of everyone. This year, licenses should not be issued without proper visits to the site. I also hope there will be better officials. There should be proper development of Mumbai, taking not just the rich but also poor people into consideration — there should be something better for them. SRA and other schemes that were meant for them and not implemented the way they were envisaged should see a transformation for the good.
—Rossi D’Souza, Gorai