Working for a better Mumbai

Dear Mr. Mehta,

On behalf of our ALM of Little Gibbs Roads 1, 2, and 3 in Malabar Hill, we wish you success as our Municipal Commissioner. On our part as an ALM, we assure you that we abide by the core concept of the ALM scheme i.e. working in the spirit of partnership.

The first statement you had made on taking charge was to ensure a citizen-friendly municipality. The ALM scheme is perhaps the most effective method of giving a voice to the citizens as well as getting their support for the local ward offices. However, it can only be successful if the spirit of partnership between the ALMs and the MCGM is maintained.

To strengthen the concept of a working partnership between MCGM and ALMs and to ensure the scheme’s uniform implementation, an ALM manual by the MCGM is in the public domain and it should be followed by the MCGM towards improved working of the ALMs. Unfortunately, at present, the ALM scheme has become fragile and we need your encouragement to strengthen it.

In April 2000, our ALM was initiated by eight women in response to the call for a ‘Zero Garbage Malabar Hill’, given by the then Municipal Commissioner N Nalinakshan.

Over the years, our ALM has worked with MCGM on many pilot projects successfully, including waste segregation by ensuring efficient collection of waste, integrating the local hawkers by getting a hawking zone in the locality, tackling the increasing menace of mosquitoes by conducting a first-of-its-kind ‘photo audit’ and a follow-up audit conducted prior to the monsoon every year by the ward office. All of the work was done by integrating various stakeholders of the locality, including hawkers, rag pickers and municipal workers, along with residents and our elected representatives.

Mumbai has multiple challenges but I would like to urge you to take a detailed look at the local issues and their solutions, which have been successful but not replicated. Good practices, which have been initiated, are often put in cold storage once the transfer of officers takes place.

The issue of garbage and the problem of non-segregation of waste at source still remain extreme challenges. In this regard, the decentralised system of waste processing has been on MCGM’s agenda and requires to be fast forwarded.

Capacity building of the municipality is crucial for the implementation of any system or model. The duties and responsibilities of the municipality as well as the citizens need to be defined unambiguously.

Furthermore, in order to address the issue of efficiency of service, serious attention is also required to be extended towards collection/transportation, report generation, equipment, dustbins/litterbins/sweeping material, collection bins, chowkies and sorting centres. Maximising the efficiency of waste management through the use of technology is the call of the day.

In 2001, MCGM had developed a technology to produce bricks made out of municipal solid waste at the Deonar Dumping Ground. These bricks have been used successfully by us in Malabar Hill and are still standing strong. Unfortunately, a successful in-house solution such as this, which uses municipal solid waste gainfully has been put in the cold storage. Ultimately, we need to find ways to lessen the load on the dumping grounds. Only then, will their challenges be successfully addressed.

With monsoon at our doorstep, desilting of the drains and nullahs has to be accorded top priority. It is noticed that the silt removed from the drains is left piled up nearby. This should not be allowed and the silt should be cleared away immediately. Every year, during monsoon, several buildings collapse due to lack of or inadequate repair work. In order to prevent loss of lives, such buildings should be evacuated without hesitation. ALMs in a particular area may be approached for assistance.

Your attention is especially requested to take up the issue of allotting dedicated parking spaces for school buses after school hours, where the buses can be parked in safety. This will ensure that they are not parked indiscriminately in residential areas. For the purpose of pedestrian safety, the zebra crossings should be painted with durable paint (thermoplastic), which will ensure that it does not wear out easily.

The above suggestions, if implemented, will go a long way in dealing with many problems faced by the citizens and make life somewhat easier in the city.

Indrani Malkani

Founder Secretary -
ALM of Little Gibbs Roads 1, 2 & 3