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ShareKurla, a densely populated low-lying belt, was the worst affected in 26/7 floods that lashed the metropolis in 2005. With memories and aftereffects of the black day continuing to haunt locals, all major political parties are keen to convert the sentiment into positive votes for the civic elections.
With almost the entire - km expanse of the L- ward -- the administrative block representing Kurla directly or indirectly affected by the tragedy, BMC elections here will largely be fought on disaster management like Mithi widening, rehabilitation of flood affected victims, flood relief, inundation and cleanliness.
Incidents of flooding left thousands residing along the Mithi banks homeless. It snapped electricity and power lines. 300-odd died in flooding, landslides and waterborne endemics that followed torrential rains. With the suburb under water for two days, 5000-odd residents took to streets facing acute electricity and water problems. Corruption marred relief and flood management work that followed.
Even as parties were planning their strategy to capitalize on the disaster (see party strategy), victims expressed dismay at the manner of tackling the issue. At least 341 election card holders residing at Indira Nagar (ward 162) along the Mithi bank were yet to be rehabilitated.
"Despite having all documents proving our eligibility, we are being denied a room," Siraj Ali (35)- a father of five, residing in a temporary shed, meters away from his original home said. Ali's brother-in-law Nazir (33) died in floods. "We have visited party and government offices. No one has answered our cries. The present home has no electricity and water connection," he said.
Standing alongside, wife Qadrunnisa(30) could not hold her tears. The situation was similar at Saki Naka's Ghas Compound where a single landslide on the ill-fated day swept 135 homes claiming 120 lives.
"Bogus identities have been allotted rehabilitation homes. We are left stranded," one victim said. Even as these people were evicted, illegal industrial settlements continued to dot Mithi.
