The Times of India 04.11.2009
'Village in a metro' eyes urban growth
The Bhandup assembly constituency was a prestigious win for Raj Thackeray's MNS as it was an NCP stronghold for many years. But newly elected MLA Shishir Shinde, who rode to victory on the Marathi manoos agenda, has a huge task ahead.
Voters here complain that most parts of Bhandup still exist like a "village nestled amidst a metropolis''. In fact, one of its roads, called the Bhandup Village Road, is in a regular state of chaos. "There are narrow roads in Bhandup which need to be made free of encroachment. The evening peak-hour witnesses traffic snarls at most junctions. It is difficult to go on a drive in Bhandup without getting stuck in a jam,'' said Ravi Pendhekar, a resident of Datta Mandir Road.
Kirti Shah, a local businessman, said load-shedding was the biggest problem and so was water scarcity. "Nearly 80% of Bhandup has a severe water crisis,'' he stated. Another businessman, Tarlok Singh, said that LBS Marg, which was once a major arterial road, was dug up at several places. "On a few other roads located in the interiors, the interlocking paver tiles have been removed and new tar roads have already developed potholes,'' he pointed out.
Sayyed Noorul Hassan, a resident for four decades, said the lanes off the village road are always flooded with knee-deep water during the monsoon. "No politician has ever studied the problem nor improved the drains,'' he said. He also demanded the introduction of more buses so every nook of Bhandup is connected to the station area.
Said a slum resident Harish Jadhav, "There is a need for better roads in the Bhandup hills. There is also a need for more public toilets, street lights and health clinics.''
Another resident said that there was a need to beautify Shivaji Talao, which is used for Ganesh immersions and is of great sentimental value to the locals.
Kirti Shah, a local businessman, said load-shedding was the biggest problem and so was water scarcity. "Nearly 80% of Bhandup has a severe water crisis,'' he stated. Another businessman, Tarlok Singh, said that LBS Marg, which was once a major arterial road, was dug up at several places. "On a few other roads located in the interiors, the interlocking paver tiles have been removed and new tar roads have already developed potholes,'' he pointed out.
Sayyed Noorul Hassan, a resident for four decades, said the lanes off the village road are always flooded with knee-deep water during the monsoon. "No politician has ever studied the problem nor improved the drains,'' he said. He also demanded the introduction of more buses so every nook of Bhandup is connected to the station area.
Said a slum resident Harish Jadhav, "There is a need for better roads in the Bhandup hills. There is also a need for more public toilets, street lights and health clinics.''
Another resident said that there was a need to beautify Shivaji Talao, which is used for Ganesh immersions and is of great sentimental value to the locals.
