Compilation of responses received from citizens of Mumbai listing Issues of Concern
(5th Sept. 2007)
Text of email that was circulated inviting citizens to respond
(Responses are at:
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Date: 30-08-07
Sub.: Which issues regarding Mumbai would you like the PM to know
The Citizen's Action Group (CAG), constituted by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Deshmukh is to meet the Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan Singh, on his visit toMumbai tomorrow.
The CAG which claims to represent the citizens of Mumbai and their concerns has listed out only the following 5 demands for the city:
a) An Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for the city
b) Speedy implementation of the report to make Mumbai as an International Finance Centre (IFC)
c) A larger role for the city in the expansion plans of the Mumbai Port Trust
d) Expedite the MUTP II loan
e) Constitutional amendments to allow Parents-Teachers Associations (PTA) vote in the electoral college of teachers.
In order to ensure that the Prime Minister gets a balanced and representative view of what our city needs:
a) how should the CM / CAG publicly display / discuss their demands, so as to receive feedback from a large group of citizens?
b) which do you think are the important issues for Mumbai that the Prime Minister needs to know about so that Central funds can be prioritised accordingly and why?
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Analysis of Responses Received as on 5th Sept. 2007
We have received 75 responses. These have been compiled in the order received. An analysis of the issues mentioned reveals the following in descending order of priority:
1)Public Transport: Trains, Roads, Traffic, Pavements - 34
2)Overall Infrastructure and planned Development – 24
3)Slums / Encroachments / Migrant population – 19
4)Affordable housing for all – 12
5)Cleanliness / Garbage - 11
5) Public Health – 11
6) Basic Education / Schools – 10
6) Improved Governance – 10
7) Higher Education – 7
8) Clean, safe and adequate Water Supply - 6
8) Public Toilets and Sanitation – 6
9) Corruption / Black money – 5
9) Art and Culture / Sports / Heritage – 5
11) Law and Order – 4
12) Condition of the poor – 3
12) Open Spaces – 3
13) Pollution – 2
13) Coastal Regulation / Protection – 2
13) Terrorism – 2
13) Others / Misc. – 2
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Responses
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- Karmayog.org
Karmayog List of Issues that would make Mumbai city more liveable:
- Public Transport and Transport Infrastructure Improvement:
The great majority of Mumbai’s citizens travel up to 3 hours daily to and from home and work. An affordable, effective and safe Mass Transport System such as a metro rail is essential, as the existing suburban rail network has long been stretched far beyond it’s carrying capacity. Other alternatives such as the BEST bus system are also unable to provide much relief as the distances involved are too far, and the conditions of the roads and traffic prevent rapid movement of vehicles. Further, the roads, footpaths, and flyovers are often badly planned and in poor condition, leading to extensive time and energy of people being spent in commuting in sub-human conditions.
- Making Housing affordable:
Several of the Government’s real estate and city development policies are responsible for making housing unaffordable to the majority of Mumbai’s citizens. A review of these policies and laws is required (e.g.: the Rent Control Act, Cessed Buildings, Urban Land Ceiling Act, FSI and TDR policies, Slum Rehabilitation models, etc.) along with pro-active steps need to be taken by the Government to free-up and prioritise / reserve land use in the city for affordable housing.
- Implementation and execution of all Laws, Orders and Acts of the Government and Court, with penalisation and removal of Govt. officers who fail to do so.
Despite the existence of well-framed laws and procedures on several issues, these frequently remain un-implemented leading to a deterioration of quality of life of people. This includes the Implementation of RTI Act – Chapter II, Section 4 (to publicly display and share all information at all Government offices) that would reduce corruption, Protection of Mangroves and Coastal Regulations – that would prevent severe flooding of the city, Plastic Bag ban in the State – that would prevent flooding and reduce the non-biodegradable waste generated,Supreme Court order on Hawkers – that would make public roads, footpaths and foot over bridges free from encroachments for pedestrians, etc.
- Implementation of the Local Area Citizen Group Charter – This Charter enables concerned citizens and citizen groups to engage formally with Government agencies in the improvement and management of their localities. The LACG Charter creates a (non-political) institutional basis for a formal structure of citizen-civic interaction and participation, that also plays a crucial role in community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation.
- Public display and discussion with citizens by the Government on all public projects and policies, such as the Marine Drive Beautification, Zoo re-vamp, Aquarium Redevelopment, Stray Dogs Policy for the city, etc. Dialogue and discussion with all stake-holders by the Government must be an essential step before undertaking any city project, if the citizens are to feel a sense of ownership, pride and belonging to the city. Further, open debate and discussion on any project presents a true picture of what people feel about that project, how it is being done, whether it is required, and also exposes / brings to light any irregularities / vested interests that may be involved.
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- Rakesh
Below is what I would have liked to see in the list of five major issues:
a) Low cost housing - Mumbai is increasingly becoming unaffordable for lower-middle class which really forms the backbone of Mumbai. Growing property rates are increasinglypushing them towards far suburbs and newer slums. Slum rehabilitation plans are not helping address the issue at the root cause (they are infact a big sham).
b) Public toilets - It is a shame people are left with no choice but to use pavements and railway tracks as toilet.
c) Pollution - Making CNG mandatory for public transport vehicles and disincentivising private vehicles that do not use CNG
d) Local trains - Notwithstanding the upcoming Metro project and the expansion plans for the current tracks, our local trains are a disaster waiting to happen.
e) Parallel Economy - For all its claims of beingthe major contributor to exchequer, Mumbai is also the biggest evader of taxes. If we really want Mumbai to lead by example, there is a need to make things difficult for tax offenders - Any takers for this one?
I know my suggestions may be too late but I can't imagine how PTAs votingor IIM for Mumbai needs to be such a priority over the issues mentioned above.
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- Rajaram BojjiYahoo
I believe intelligentia of Mumbai deserves better deal than what they are getting- when we can have world class safer standard gauge metro rail in Skybus, to carry 6 million commuters a day at a cost of Rs 6000 cr- to provide 100 kmph max speed, rail based air-condition travel at viable Rs 500 per month for 1000 km a month per person, without viability gap funding nor acquiring of any business premises or precious urban land, duly certified by internationally reputed TuV Rhenland Germany, and to be delivered in two years with private funding by the undersigned, with a proven record to deliver promises, what is preventing the Citizens in openly demanding for Government action to agree?
I am attaching the 3 page brief on Skybus as well as the letter written to the CM Maharashtra- do we really have courage to change our lives by demanding for the same? The sole point is you have to trust me- and I ask for no funds from Government! Mumbai can have 100 km of Skybus network �the most advanced system of railway in the world merely for asking- trust me- if you can consider me trust worthy! I promise to deliver. The goody goody meetings with vague answers and promises for more funds � can be put to a halt- pose unequivocally the challenge to the Prime Minister in public- what is the problem with the Government, in getting better infrastructure , that too free? But first your group needs courage of conviction. Else we continue to get what we deserve- mere promises and another consultant�s report with huge budget requirements.
Link:
B. Rajaram M.Tech., FIE., FNAE IRSE
Inventor Anti-collision & Skybus Technologies
Atri Knowledge Embedded Infrastructure Lab. Pvt. Ltd., 5-9-101/3, United House,Public Garden Rd.,Hyderabad 500001
Phone: +91 98857 00007 Fax: +91 98850 14092 email:[email protected] Video Channel
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- jayaraman
P.M must experience , i repeat , must experience a travel by train from dadar to thana without bodyguard and in disguise or from dadar to andheri at 9 A.M on a working day and after experiencing ...... only in a second classcompartment , ...... he himself must feel authentically responsible for such a pathetic , chaotic situation and decide to device a method wilfully from the core of his heart , a time bound solution within a maximum period of six months...... ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, , t this may look like an immature, childish request..... and i assert , i repeat , i assert that this only will wake him up to this godforsakan reality of suburban train travel in bombay and how half a crore citizens are experiencing daily for the past fifty years and he must start working for a time bound solution...... and the consequence would be .....he will certainly get his vote bank also simultaneously filled upto the brim.
v.jayaraman
402-a ,neel paradise
sector-9 , nerul
navi mumbai-400706
res.tel.27724298
mobile . 9819080601
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- Prasanna,
My suggestion:
There should be a way for the poor especially in the Mankurd and dharavi area to have water supply, provide housing even small with bathrooms and sanitation around the area.
Also restrict illegal immigrants from other countries to settle in Mumbai � have a strict check of documents so that jobs are not taken by other nationalities coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan, etc.
-Mira
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- Ramita Mehta
Thanks for the mail. I would include:
1. Similar to IIM, for Medical Studies - Indian Institute of Medical
Sciences.
2. Indian Institute of Law
3. Indian Institute for Livelihood earning skills -
4. Rapid infrastructure Development Plan & funding for Mumbai
5. Micro Insurance (health & life insurance for marginalised section)
Ramita
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- Devnath Ghosh
The prime Minister should know about the local train problems being faced by the local population, this is my only concern.
The agenda of the CAG smacks of self interest & of no use to the common people
Debu
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- MD Kini
The only issue that CM should take up with PM is the speedy completion of MUTP II loan. All other issues are secondary. Making Mumbai a better city should receive priority. 'Clean city and green city' should be the motto of everybody who is concerned with the welfare of the citizens. This is in the hands of the corporators, civic staff and the citizens.
Problems of Mumbai - water supply, roads, schools, sanitation, slum clearance - can be tackled by BMC and the State Govt. If there is a will, there is a way.
Building satellite towns around Mumbai-Thane in the mainland would solve or reduce some of the problems of Mumbai.
IIM should be outside Mumbai, may be in Pune. A new town should be built on the mainland for IFC. This will decongest Mumbai and IFC could be a modern city with all facilities.
M.D.Kini
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- Dr. Paresh Navalkar
The issues are
- Developing the health infrastructure in the suburbs. 65%of population stays in suburb but on tertiary care public or private hospitals in suburbs.
- City badly needs Emergency Medical Services. There is a private initiative but no effort from State.
- Slum Rehab consider Malaysian model
- Increase in police personnel for better law & order- center should fund it.
- More Colleges in suburbs
Dr.Paresh Navalkar
Lifesupporters Institute of Health Sciences.
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- PMKamath
Of the Five points listed in this mail, first four are fine. But for parents of the PTA to be included in the electoral college of teachers to vote is preposterous. If the pa rents are graduates, they have an opportunity to vote in the graduate constituency.
Mumbai also needs one central university to cater to needs of the growing population and their diverse needs. Other much smaller cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad have central universities. The existing university has proved to be unable to provide all courses which students demand. As a result some time students have to travel to another city in search of a course he wants to take.
PMKamath
Former Professor of Politics
University of Mumbai
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- M.K. Chouhan
I think a project linking up International Airport by 'MRT' with Mumbai Central, Churchgate & VT, with direct baggage check in facilities from these stations itself (like in London) will be a good idea. Majority of International / Indian travellers will straight get in and out of city without adding to the woes of regular city traffic.
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- Adolf
Coastal Regulations need to be revised urgently.
The revision of the Development Plan for Mumbai needs most serious attention. If indeed all the delapidated buildings disappear, if all slums get rehabilitated, if all BDD chawls etc. get transformed - what kind of green areas, what sizes, which locations can be reserved? What kind of road network can logically be proposed?
Adolf.
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- AJAY GOENKA
A) PM should be taken to a tour to most problematic area of MUMBAI and let him see how people are taken to a ride in the city.
b) Infrastructure, condition of poor and middle class people are the important issue for Mumbai.
AJAY GOENKA
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- Narasimhan, Sudarshan (RSCH India)
the most important point to be discussed includes the pathetic condition of the roads in Mumbai... forget about vehicular traffic its difficult for even pedestrians
Improvement of infrastructure in my view is the most important need of the hour
sudarshan
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- suraj prasad
Urban poverty and lack of sanitary and drainage services!
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- Satish Jha
I would like Mumbai to get ready for respecting its citizens and accommodate 20 million people in an honourable way..
It should have not less than 4 Billion square feet of humanly designed living space over the next ten years..
This space should be renewable every twenty years..
It will require about 10 million vehicles, about about 1 billion gallons of water, about 400,000 miles of lanes ( in a 40 miles by 20 miles city, with blocks at 24 yds x 12 yds, at any time 50 percent vehicles moving vehicles.. you will need that much for a reasonable speed of transit and that will boil down to about the space Mumbai may have) and roads
economic activity to support that level of infrastructure
schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, market places etc to support that..
then you think of more than a few management institutes, medical and engineering colleges, courts, policing, infrastructure etc..
if you are meeting the PM, why waste an opp.. give the guy a comprehensive, well thought out plan based on what you would like Mumbai to become, a human, habitable city for all its inhabitants.. and not the one known for dharavi.. even NY's dharavi, brooklyn is better planned than most of Mumbai..
just an IIM here, a tap there is not the solution for Mumbai..
If you are doing a job, may as well do it well..
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- Subir Shukla
PM should know about the following:
how to ensure that every single child in the city has access to education and is actually learning.
the city has reached the point where every little emergency (such as heavy rain) easily triggers off disproportionate disturbance; how can the city attain the stability needed
There should be poster-based exhibitions in a large number of areas in the city, containing the issues raised till now, and inviting discussion from people on the streets / homes / workplaces, with the scope for them to register their issues. Later these should be compiled, and raised as a charter of citizens' expectations from political and otherleaders. Once accepted, there should be regular citizens' progress report. Along with these, the commitments made by/need from citizens should also be prominently displayed, so that there is a slow movement towards a parternship, rather than they being rendered mere 'beneficiaries' or 'victims'.
Subir Shukla
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- Rustom Dadabhoy
As I see it, priority wise the following need immediate remediation:
Infrastructure upgradation for drinking water, sewerage and solid waste disposal, better roads and traffic management systems, removal of slums and encroachments by rehousing the under-privileged, improvement of open spaces and gardens, reduction in number of more than 7 year oldcars and taxis, providing better and more efficient systems of public transport, total halt on haphazard construction of buildings.
Efficient Water transport systems with terminals across the city.