Deadlines for potholes extended

The deadline for fixing potholes has been extended to 48 hours from receiving your call. It needs to be seen how much further they will be extending it as the rains hit.

Call 1916 to fix a pothole

Startling news for Mumbaikars who had to live with potholes and potcraters through the monsoon - the BMC has promised to fix any pothole within 24-hours from the time that you bring to their notice by calling their toll free number - 1916.

Would it work? From past experience, I'm not very hopeful. I expect to find a "continuously busy tone" after the initial few days. If not, 'll be glad to mention it here once the rain starts.

Meanwhile, for those who may have missed the news, do take down the number!

The shape of things to come

The city is all set to face another monsoon that will test the nerve of its spirited citizens. Every year, we feel it couldn't get worse. From huge potholed roads to never-ending traffic jams to insufficient transport facilities, we think things can only change for the better. If we go by the looks of things this year, there has been change, but it's going to be much for the worse. As I travel around the city, I feel the stage has been set for another unforgettable monsoon for all of us:

• The roads have all been dug at important points so that when the rains happen, we get caught in massive traffic jams. From the way the jams are building even without the rains, the state of these jams when it actually rains boggles the mind.
  
• There are hardly any footpaths to walk on due to the digging that's happening. Either they were never there, or they have been covered by debris of construction work which has been lying around for months. Come the rains and there may be no escape routes - the roads will be chock-a-block with traffic and the footpaths will be slush. Where will people walk their way home; an option that was there earlier!
  
• Slowly but surely road development is eliminating the green cover along the roads. The urgency with which trees are cut is really unbelievable. Today you see them, tomorrow all you see are leaves strewn on the road - a reminder to the years of shade and cool breeze they provided. Will they affect any change in the force of the rain? I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that we may see more water around the roads.
  
• Public transport remains stretched. Autos and taxis continue to dictate where they would like to go and where not to - that's when things are normal. Have a situation where people are desperate, and you can imagine how they will behave.
  

All in all, the mood is set for another testing monsoon for Mumbaikars. I hope at the end of it all, we are able to pull through it safely. God bless us all.

The city of Mumbai

If you've lived long enough in Mumbai, then you'd be feeling the hurt that so many of us feel today when we look at the state of the city. Physically and morally, the city is changing and it's becoming obvious that it's not for the better - although a majority of us may still not be sure.

Look around us and we see signs of "development". The trees are giving away for wider roads. The footpaths are being occupied by vendors of all kinds to ensure we can shop as we walk. Skyscrapers are now visible even in the farthest suburbs. Malls are sprouting up at almost every corner for our shopping convenience. There are vehicles everywhere - people appear so much better-dressed - most of the eating joints have a queue in the evenings - everyone seems to be having a good time.

Imagine a "development" in the opposite direction, though.
Imagine if the government started planting more trees. A line of trees on all the main arterial roads of Mumbai - LBS Road, SV Road, MG Road - how would that feel? Imagine if all - all roads on Mumbai had footpaths where at least 2 people can walk side-by-side without having to jumpinto oncoming traffic? Imagine if all bus-stops had weather-protection. Imagine if every residential building had a mandatory area just for playing. Imagine if all malls had a sports section where people can take part in physical activities apart from shopping. Imagine if drinking water was available free at railway stations and bus stops. Imagine if we had a world-class public transport system that allowed people to travel safely and with dignity. Imagine ....

I feel, given an option, the majority of us would like to see development as listed in the latter paragraph. I'm sure that's how I'd like to see Mumbai "develop"- rather than just see "commercial growth" happen in the name of development. And commercial growth at the cost of many equally and at times more important factors.

I would like to do something about it. By something, I mean, do something that is actionable rather than just exchange views and ideas and hope that others will execute it. Even if it's just one person at a time, I think the city will develop right only if right-minded people decide to take action instead of wishing things would change.