Christopher Thomas and Cynthia D'Mello of CALM-My Dream Colaba share about the proactive work done to benefit SoBo residents
CALM-My Dream Colaba (CALM-MDC), a citizens’ group, has long been struggling to restore Colaba to its earlier pristine position. Due to the members’ constant follow-up with various civic and policing bodies, a marked difference has been seen in the mindset of the authorities towards making improved changes in this up class neighbourhood.
Beginning with the silent peaceful march that brought out a large crowd of high-class residents on the street when the lives of two women belonging to our area were tragically taken away. This happened due to the negligence and irresponsibility of the statutory bodies in conducting their activities in the area. Add to that, the blatant and illegal activities of auto shops and mechanics that continue to operate on the roads of the narrow Sassoon Dock section of that particular area that cause congestion and chaos.
After several meetings with the authorities, the area has been attended to with compelling evidence of a decrease in illegal activities. However, there seems to be a lot more to do since these illegal operators return as soon as the authorities turn their backs even for a short while. Members of CALM-MDC continue to free the area with the able assistance of the police and civic authorities. Both the police and the civic authorities have assisted us considerably and continue to help us time and again contributing in every way possible way to encourage us to adopt areas of improvements for our collective benefit.
Member and moderator of the group, Imran Merchant, who is also a prominent businessman belonging to this area, indicates that this honorary occupation gives great satisfaction to the group. They have been successful in many ways; for example, they got rid of an open, illegal fish market that popped up when the Sassoon Dock ended its fishing activities for monsoon to enable the fishes to spawn. The group also imposed upon the authorities to clear up Sassoon Dock of all the illegal repair and mechanic activities, amongst other things.
It appears that many illegal activities such as illegal hawking and prostitution are still being practised. The absence of constant patrolling by the traffic police to curb illegal parking and road blocking will need to be addressed. The misuse of public spaces in one of the costliest areas of south Mumbai also needs to be stopped. We hope that the authorities will continue their drive to keep our area hospitable for every human being, irrespective of the richest or the poorest resident.
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