8 months ago
Mumbai's F/South Ward Faces Chronic Civic Issues
Mumbai's F/South ward, known for its mill culture and working-class identity, is facing many problems.
Even after spending a lot of money to fix flooding, areas like Hindmata still get waterlogged during heavy rains.
Roads and footpaths are blocked by illegal hawkers, making it hard for people to walk and causing traffic jams.
The area has many hospitals, so there are lots of people and vehicles, which makes the problems worse.
The redevelopment of bridges and roads has also caused more traffic.
Residents are frustrated because the government is not doing enough to fix these issues.
They want better roads, cleaner air, and faster rehabilitation for those affected by new projects.
Chronic flooding persists in Hindmata despite a Rs 140 crore investment in underground rainwater holding tanks.
Encroachments by illegal hawkers and vendors on Mahadev Palav Marg and Curry Road station area disrupt traffic and pedestrian movement.
Rapid high-rise development and the concentration of major hospitals in Parel and Lalbaug have increased footfall and vehicular load, exacerbating congestion and hygiene issues.
The redevelopment of Elphinstone Bridge and Delisle Road Bridge has added to traffic chaos and inconvenience for pedestrians, especially senior citizens.
Residents demand faster rehabilitation for those affected by infrastructure projects and prioritization of environmental concerns like pollution and stormwater drains.
- Who
- Residents and commuters of Mumbai's F/South ward, including senior citizens and patients visiting major hospitals
- What
- Chronic civic issues such as flooding, encroachments, traffic congestion, and hygiene problems
- Where
- F/South ward covering Parel, Lalbaug, Sewri, and parts of Dadar East in Mumbai
- When
- Persistent issues with recent exacerbations due to heavy rainfall and infrastructure projects
- Why
- Inadequate infrastructure, lack of enforcement, and rapid urban development leading to overcrowding and environmental degradation
Key facts
- Ward Area
- Parel, Lalbaug, Sewri, and parts of Dadar East
- Major Hospitals
- KEM, Wadia, Tata, and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital
- Flooding Investment
- Rs 140 crore in 2021 for underground rainwater holding tanks
- Political Representation
- Six seats held by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), one by Congress
- Key Issues
- Flooding, encroachments, traffic congestion, and hygiene problems
- Infrastructure Projects
- Elphinstone Bridge redevelopment and Delisle Road Bridge reconstruction
- Rehabilitation Needs
- Expedited rehabilitation for Hanuman Nagar and Ekatmata Nagar residents
- Environmental Concerns
- Rising pollution levels and need for stormwater drains and sewer lines
Quotes
Shashank Kadam
Resident of Kondaji Chawl in Parel
“Traffic-free roads, an encroachment-free footpath to walk on, and clean air are the only things we, as residents, demand. But year after year, the story has been the same. At night, the roads are packed with hawkers who even cook on the road with their big shegdis, leaving people with no place to walk. There have been several incidents where pedestrians have been affected.”
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Madhavi Berde
Senior citizen from Delisle Road
“The BMC took five years to reconstruct the Delisle Road Bridge at Lower Parel, yet the new bridge is narrower than before and the footpath has been closed, causing inconvenience to pedestrians. The bridge also lacks proper connectivity to Curry Road railway station, forcing commuters to take longer routes. This has especially affected senior citizens, as the station has increased crowding but no basic facilities like lifts or escalators. Climbing high staircases daily is very difficult for elderly commuters.”
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Sachin Padwal
Former corporator and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader from Ward No. 206
“The residents affected in Hanuman Nagar and Ekatmata Nagar need to be rehabilitated to make way for three pillars required for the expansion of the Atal Setu at the Sewri end. Although homes have been allotted to them in a Wadala SRA project, the rehabilitation process needs to be expedited. Additionally, rising pollution levels and the urgent need for stormwater drains and sewer lines in the Mumbai Port Trust area must be prioritised.”
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