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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: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/28012)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date: 30-08-07Sub.: 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 to Mumbai 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?
www.karmayog.org----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 - 342) Overall Infrastructure and planned Development – 243) Slums / Encroachments / Migrant population – 194) Affordable housing for all – 125) Cleanliness / Garbage - 115) Public Health – 116) Basic Education / Schools – 106) Improved Governance – 107) Higher Education – 78) Clean, safe and adequate Water Supply - 68) Public Toilets and Sanitation – 6 9) Corruption / Black money – 5 9) Art and Culture / Sports / Heritage – 5 11) Law and Order – 412) Condition of the poor – 312) Open Spaces – 3
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13) Pollution – 213) Coastal Regulation / Protection – 213) Terrorism – 213) Others / Misc. – 2
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1. Karmayog.org [email protected]
Karmayog List of Issues that would make Mumbai city more liveable:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
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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.
www.karmayog.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Rakesh [email protected]
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 increasingly pushing 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 being the 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 voting or IIM for Mumbai needs to be such a priority over the issues mentioned above. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Rajaram BojjiYahoo [email protected] 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.
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Else we continue to get what we deserve- mere promises and another consultant�s report with huge budget requirements.Link: http://www.karmayog.org/redirect/strred.asp?docId=2651 B. Rajaram M.Tech., FIE., FNAE IRSEInventor Anti-collision & Skybus TechnologiesAtri Knowledge Embedded Infrastructure Lab. Pvt. Ltd., 5-9-101/3, United House,Public Garden Rd.,Hyderabad 500001Phone: +91 98857 00007 Fax: +91 98850 14092 email: director@... My Video Channel
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. 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 class compartment , ........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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Prasanna, Mira [email protected]
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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Ramita Mehta
Thanks for the mail. I would include:1. Similar to IIM, for Medical Studies - Indian Institute of MedicalSciences.2. Indian Institute of Law3. Indian Institute for Livelihood earning skills -4. Rapid infrastructure Development Plan & funding for Mumbai
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5. Micro Insurance (health & life insurance for marginalised section)
Ramita-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Devnath Ghosh [email protected] 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 Debuwww.agloco.com/r/BBGS1277-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. MD Kini [email protected] 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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Dr. Paresh Navalkar [email protected]
The issues are
a. Developing the health infrastructure in the suburbs. 65%of population stays in suburb but on tertiary care public or private hospitals in suburbs.
b. City badly needs Emergency Medical Services. There is a private initiative but no effort from State.
c. Slum Rehab consider Malaysian model
d. Increase in police personnel for better law & order- center should fund it.
e. More Colleges in suburbs Dr.Paresh NavalkarLifesupporters Institute of Health Sciences.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. PMKamath
Of the Five points listed in this mail, first four are fine. But for parents of the PTA to be ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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.
PMKamathFormer Professor of PoliticsUniversity of Mumbai-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. M.K. Chouhan [email protected] 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. Adolf tragler [email protected]
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.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. AJAY GOENKA [email protected]
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Narasimhan, Sudarshan (RSCH India) [email protected] 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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. suraj prasad [email protected]
Urban poverty and lack of sanitary and drainage services!
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16. Satish Jha [email protected]
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 infrastructureschools, 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..-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Subir Shukla [email protected] 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 other leaders. 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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Rustom Dadabhoy [email protected]
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 old cars 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.
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Upgradation of public health services and facilities and reduction in prices of essential commodities and medicines. Rustom
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19. Arun Chitlangia [email protected]
Infrastructure like road conditions, public transport, decentralization are the need of the hour.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20. Mangesh Thorat
I am against government subsidizing on higher education, I am fully against government spending on IITs and IIMs, it should spend on BASIC ADUCATION in villages. What Mumbai needs is EXCELLENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, MUTP ii, iii, IV and so on and open breathing space. You see a city becomes world class only with good infrastructure, which includes open spaces, look at London. Business will take care of their own needs, and they are becoming world class day by day. Government should focus on infrastructure. Uran-Bhaucha dhakka sea bridge and at least 2 international airports in the vicinity is the need of hour.
Dr. Mangesh Thorat M.S., D.N.B. (Gen Surg), MNAMS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21. sujatha subraman
My main issue as a mother is to see school children walking to school minus their heavy schoolbags. When will we reduce the load from their back--it is killing the innocent children. Something needs to be done.from sujatha.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. Jitendra
Hi all,
1. Can we know names of people who r chosen as member of CAG, along with their brief profile about their background and work that they done till date for mumbai.2. tomorrow is PM visit but public is asked suggestion only a day before,3. it si shocking to see, even before suggestions come, a agenda with at least one or 2 funny issues is already decided.4. Best way to explain PM about mumbai problems is give him a power presentation of issues, like railways, sanitation, slums, traffic, garbage. Floods etc. I think news channels have enough footage on these issues, which could come forward for help andbring focus on these issues.
Jitendra-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. shilpa sachdev ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Something needs to be done to promote art and culture in new Bombay...some Convention Centre is needed...anyone listening?? Its now or never.....
Shilpa SachdevSource Strategic Communication Pvt. Ltd.,1204 Mayuresh Chambers,Sector 11, CBD Belapur,Navi Mumbai 400 614.Tel: +91 22 27564822, 27566683Fax: +91 27276555Mobile: +91 9870375453www.editsource.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24. M. J. Pereira [email protected]
To answer your two questions briefly: (a) the five issues which the CAG has chosen to highlight should be displayed publicly on hoardings at significant points in the city (the space donated by industry, for a time). (b) the issues should also be debated and discussed on local television channels to create a greater public awareness. I think the two most important issues for Mumbai are shelter (affordable and hygienic housing) and traffic decongestion. So perhaps I relate to c) and d) more than to the other three issues, which are important, but not priorities. M. J. Pereira -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. Dr Vijayam Ravi
I think the PM should allot funds for a centralised educational scheme in the city and suburbs. The condition of the schools that are run by the govt are very bad. Can the PM constitute a separate body comprising of learned educationist and IAS officers to study the standards of education prevailing in this industrial capital?
I am an educationist and I know how these people run the schools and colleges. I strongly feel that any change including an awareness about corruption and ways to prevent it, will start from schools only and hence education is the priority
Can the PM look into the functioning of the Mumbai university- the kind of torture that their staff is giving to students? Can it be run by private agencies?I am writing this after seeing the struggle that studennts get through to get their work done in the university that is 150 yr old I do not know whether this will require PM's intervention.
BUT IT PAINS TO SEE
Dr Vijayam Ravi-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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26. lorraine saldanha
The biggest concern is the INCOMPLETE ROADS with pot holes as big as craters.
The JVLR road is the worst -- take the PM there and show him . The widespread accumulation of parking of cars the roads and even street light are horrible .
Lorraine-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. Kumar [email protected] The water logging problem has to be solved first. Cleaning the sewerage system and adding more pipes and connections for better water flow is very important. Starting the work now will benefit the residents of Mumbai in the next monsoon. Aloke.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. Prakash G. [email protected]
I appreciate your movement and efforts in mobilising opinions and voices among the citizens of this city, who prefer to crib amongst their own group due to lack of any proper guidance and direction to bring it up to the level of people who matter. There are several issues which need attention. One of the prime one being: - Bad roads: Throughout the year, the roads remain in sorry state and in a condition where it pauses problems, inconvenience and threats to motorists and pedestrians as well. They are made (so called) good only when ministers arrive, or Ganpati time or such times and that too the work carried out is a typical temporary type and of poor quality. There needs to be a proper vigilant authority which ensures that the work carried out by contractors is quality work and penalised for any shabby work or delay in carrying out the work. There are many such issues which need looking into. Prakash G.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. sonmon pillai [email protected] When we all the citizens are concentrating of improving the city infrastructure. Another very important issue I would like to forward is. Majority of urban poor population those who are suffering due to recent real estate developments in the city. Who are not given alternate accomodation or are forcibly tortured to quit their property.What steps the government has taken for such people. Approaching the court is the only solution left. But it may take years to resolve the case and a common man cannot afford it. As majority of population in the city are from low or middle income group.They are left to the streets. As the recent cases of singur and other places are live examples.The SEz's are taking away their only left out land. People on the other hand have to suffer. After all policy and decision making is the government part of the job and assurance guaranteed to the people. Only when the basic necessity of people are met. I believe we can think about infrastructure development.
Sonmon A PIllaiCell no 9324262855-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. SHIV GOROWARA------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The FIRST step, in my opinion, is to CREATE the Infrastructure in Bombay City. IMPROVE/UPGRADE existing facilities. INCULCATE Discipline in Motorists, Pedestrians,Drivers of Public Utility Vehicles.
Since North-South Bombay is connected with Flyovers - JJ Byculla Parel Dadar Sion -where the traffic scenario has improved 25%, NOW, we should connect East-West, to cutdown on travel time and reduce the load on the north south system. e.g. Chembur, New mumbai for the last 48 years is connected to the Airport ONLY via Sion/Dharavi .
We are hearing about BPT Road. The existing BPT Road is full of potholes and the BPT levies a charge of Rs 30 for one time use. SHAMEFUL. Bad forvehicles, drivers and avoidable use of fuel.Pollution levels are at peak.
Finally, adopt DANDA TECHNIQUE on improving existing PUBLIC TRANSPORT -Buses, Trains, Taxis More people would switch-over to public Transport.
Would be delighted to contribute to THINK TANK to improve BOMBAY. FirmAction needed.
Shiv Gorowara-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31. Kshirsagar, Rajiv [email protected] I think the PM should help set an independent high powered body that brings in accountability in day to day public life of government machinery, business ventures and political parties. This body with the required resources, formulates a code of ethics, monitors compliance and publishes defaults. At the appropriate time, legislation giving this body a formal recognition may be passed. Recommendations of this body can be input into legislative processes. It may perhaps not be a bad idea to come out with an independent Act known as the ‘India Citizen’s Act’ which covers the recommendations of this body and could be a consolidation or an umbrella act of dispersed laws related to public accountability. This body can work in close collaboration with the PMO/CM, senior govt. officers, judiciary, NGOs and mediato bring transparency into the actions of the so called power wielders. This can in its scope cover simple things that affect the common citizen and include inaction, buck passing and abuse of power (active and passive) at all levels that affect public life. The concept can be first tried out in Maharashtra.
Rajiv K
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------32. Rajlakshmi Nair
Would also like to take up issues on health ,nutrition and protection issues for women and children.This is core and cannot be neglected.A need for city action plan for children is very important.In the PM speech malnutrition was give highest priority and mumbai has almost 66% children malnourished which includes mild nad moderate also.Most of the time we dofire fighting.We cannot have the financial capital/IIm with fundamental issues of rights not addressed.We need to set an example for the others urban groups.We need to also look at
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other partnerships and youth of the citys energy to be channelised for creative and constructive contribution for the overall development of the city.Thanks
Raji
Rajalakshmi Nair, Programme Officer, CDNUNICEF – Mumbai OfficeTel : 022-28269727, Fax : 022-28269539Mobile: 9892000572-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. Roshan R Shroff [email protected]
1. Cleanliness is sadly lacking. 2. Encroachments galore, in connivance with politicians and municipalities. How else would you explain that nothing is done as soon as encroachments come up, when they are there in full public view for everyone to see? E.g. new ones have come up at Girgaum Chowpatty beach - they have their tents there, fishing boats and fishing nets there. How come they are not removed? This is just one example only. 3. Traffic is getting from bad to worse. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. Rajendra Aggarwala [email protected]
I do not agree with items a), b) and e) of the CAG's demands. No legitimate reasons have been forwarded to support them over the most important needs of Mumbai in terms of Infrastructure improvements on a very high priority basis. These demands are of very limited interest groups and serve no useful purpose for the community in general. There are other reasons also for opposing these demands : a) IIMs are fat elephants which are currently wasting huge funds for teaching MBAs for export abroad. Whom do these MBAs serve in Mumbai? Do any of these MBAs contribute for economic/business development in rural areas around Mumbai or in the country in general? It does not appear to be so. Why waste Central funds on such institutions? b) IFC development in Mumbai is a national issue and NOT a city issue. It must be decided on the basis of national priority and need. c) As city is certainly impacted by this development plan, cities interest must be considered, and as such this demand is legitimate and logical. I strongly support it. d) I am not aware of this plan. and have therefore no comments. e) I am against this constitutional amendment as Parents must not interfere in Teachers' voting pools. There are many other ways in which parents can ensure that teachers consider parents' requirements in the eduacation of their children. 2. The city of Mumbai should project to the prime minister those demands that are of prime importance to the city in general and for which city needs Center's help, both financial and political, which city is unable to meet on its own. This principle should be the basis of all such demands
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35. janet [email protected] Do these demands represent the majority of Mumbai’s citizens??!! Are these listed in the form of a white paper or consultation document? a) How to discuss city-wide issues widely:- Publish these demands in the newspapers/website, asking for responses by email, post etc.- Put notices/adverts in the newspapers announcing open consultation meetings across the city.- Invite a number of citizen forums/NGOs/action groups (hopefully representing a geographical spread) to send in a formal response. b) Others…- Whether infrastructure funds are being used appropriately in the city- Provision of affordable housing that can be accessed by lower and medium income families (since prop prices are on par with Manhattan and renting is also crippling) There are many more. Janet-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. Chinmaya Dandekar
Three unique problems faced mumbaikars which give us special status than rest the country
1.0 Unauthorised Slums (system to scrub all unauthorised construction andrehabilitation of existing)
2.0 Overflooded local trains (development of alternate transport system)
3.0 Increasing sea level (mangrove replantation at coastal)
Chinmaya Dandekar
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37. Murali Ranganathan [email protected]
The listed issues are broad based for long term which is good but what Mumbai needs is immediate implementation of the followingWe have learnt in our schools and even today this proverb is being taught to students " Cleanliness is next to godliness" I think this is totally missing in Mumbai in particular and all over India. Priority needs to be for improving the infrastructure of the city.The roads in Mumbai are still pathetic. Power supply for this large metropolis which is the financial hub of India is wanting. Immediate action needs to be taken to have this fixed up.Some other suggestions to make Mumbai a better place to live.Community based cleanliness drive & Hygiene. Clean all the footpaths so as to make them for walking and not for hutments & be used as public toilets. This scene cannot make Mumbai into a Shanghai. Ensure people don't spit on the roads and public places. An ordinance need to be passed and each citizen must be made aware of this most important aspect to prevent spread of diseases. Place enough and more dustbins on the roads and create strong awareness of using dustbins. Appoint citizen corporators in each road to ensure that the above are implemented.
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The municipal corp needs to be better equipped with cleaning equipments and the citizen corporators must report to the municipal office if their area is not cleaned every day. Need to have cleanliness and our neighbourhood concept deeply driven at the school level and children must be tought to implement this, as they are our future
Murali Ranganathan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------38. Rajendra Bhise YUVA, India
YUVA, seeking to raise the voice of the over 60% population of Mumbai that continues to be deprived of access to adequate housing, basic services and employment, places our demands for attention and action:
A) Urban Governance● All plans and programmes for the city must be undertaken with the objective of alleviating urban poverty. ● Urban poverty reduction indicators must be the basis of appraising and sanctioning the plans and programmes. ● Civil society participation in planning, implementation and monitoring of the programmes must be ensured. ● The Constitutional 74th Amendment Act, 1992 must be strictly adhered to and completely implemented. ● The powers and rights vested to the Municipal Corporation as a planning authority under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, must be utilised with the participation of people’s representatives and particularly urban poor groups. ● Metropolitan Planning Committees must be set up at the earliest, and participation of people’s representatives and civil society ensured.
B) Housing and Basic Services Security of tenure should be basis of the slum policy and all the slum dwellers must
be given security of tenure. At least 30% of land should be set apart for affordable housing for EWS and LIG
within the city. All the demolished settlements during the 2005–06 demolitions should be
rehabilitated within at least 5 kms of their original residence. State should invest in public housing, particularly low cost affordable housing. There should be no cut off dates for basic services including water, sanitation (toilets
and sewerage), roads, electricity, garbage disposal, health posts and Balwadi / Schools or any government welfare schemes.
The water distribution in the city must be in public hands and the experience of BMC in this regard should be acknowledged and enhanced.
There should a moratorium on forced evictions, till appropriate rehabilitation facilities are made available. UN Guidelines on forced evictions should be adopted and adhered, to ensure their human rights.
In all rehabilitation efforts, the property and service taxes should be in accordance with the socio-economic conditions of the rehabilitated communities. Renovation of rehabilitation sites should be undertaken from public resources such as the MP and MLA Local Area Development Funds.
The 2.5 Lakh mill workers displaced from the 58 textile mills of Mumbai, must be provided with alternative employment and in situ housing.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Plan should be undertaken with the complete consensus of the residents of Dharavi
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C) Livelihood There is a need to acknowledge the services of the unorganized sector towards the city and an urgent need to extend social security and protection to people in this sector. We demand,
The National Hawkers Policy should be implemented in spirit The needs (work space and infrastructure) of the informal sector workers must be
integrated into the development and land use plans of cities. The Social Security Bill should be enacted at the earliest.
Apart from this, in the context of the new employment opportunities emerging, skill upgradation and employment programmes should be formulated for the marginalised, especially the youth of the city.
D) Public HealthAccording to Urban Governance, the National Family Health Survey – Round III, 60% of Mumbai’s women are anemic, 40% of children in the city are underweight and 14% of Mumbai’s children are classified as ‘wasted’ due to nutritional deficiency. A recent study by NGOs (following the death of a child in Bhandup last year and in Goregaon this year), reveal 79% of the children in Mumbai slums are malnourished.
The National Health Policy, 2002 has stated that health sector expenditure by the states be increased to 5.5% of GDP by 2005 and to 8% by 2010. However, Maharashtra State investment in health is currently a mere 2.3% of GDP. The minimum benchmark for budgetary allocations, laid down by the national policy, should be met by the Maharashtra State government, if it seeks to reverse the dismal statistics mentioned above.
D) Transportation National Transport policy should be implemented in Mumbai. MCGM should work
on the planning and design with peoples participation in urban transportation. There should be dedicated lanes for public transport
E) Needs of Special Groups in the Cityi) Street Populations
The street and homeless population should be surveyed and enumerated and a mechanism for continuous registration developed.
Basic services like public taps, toilet facilities and transit camps should be provided to street and homeless populations
Registration cards should be used for free access to services (both in private and public domain) such as, toilets, hospitals.
The street population in Mumbai and other towns need a rehabilitation package, which includes legal rights as citizens with housing and employment options.
The street population should be linked to the nearest ICDS centres. Age limit of 0-6 years should not be the basis for them to be part of this scheme.
We believe that just and humane cities must meet the need of the last and the least and do appreciate your efforts to address them. We trust our demands would be priorities for investment by your government in our city.
Rajendra BhiseProgramme Director – YUVA urban programmes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39. Arun Waghchoure [email protected]
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There are two burning issues which are on high alert and on high priority and are very specific to our Mumbai city:
o Commuting Infrastructure o Power cuts
Please address above two issues to PM Arun Kumar V Waghchoure9820460348-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40. Kamal Patnaik [email protected]
Thank you very much for your unflinching commitment to make Mumbai more livable. I believe the following pressing issues need to be communicated to the PM in the form of a hard copy and a CD. the same can also be forwarded to mail-box of PMO. (i) A commitment may be obtained from PM about the appointment of a Nodal Officer in PMO to expedite all the major pending proposals pertaining to Mumbai. (ii) Complete overhaul of public transport systems (railways, metros & buses etc.) to decongest Mumbai . (ii) Making a proper Citizen Group as an integral part of planning and decision-making realting to Mumbai's public utilities. (iii) Ensuring transparent and accountable use of huge funds collected under Education Cess for balanced development of India's poorer states who have contributed in big way to creation of Mumbai slums where majority of Mumbaikars live. (iv) Implementation of recommendations of Bureau of Police Research to revamp Police force (particularly Mumbai Police)so that a India's largest city does not become the safest haven for terrorists. (v) Implementation of recommendations of National Judicial Commission to make judicial process effective like those prevalent in developed countries. (vi) Creation of Regulatory body to address shortage of housing and freeing the house-buyers from the clutches of real-estate mafias. According to one survey, more than 50 lakh houses in India (more than 10 lakh in Mumbai) have been kept under lock and key due to the fact that the law is heavily in favour of rights of tenants at the cost of house owners. It has led to a situation in which Mumbai , despite being one of the filthiest and most congested city, has become unaffordable for educated middle class citizens as far as house rents are concerned . Even though four out of six suggestions made above do not directly pertain to Mumbai. But, I believe, Mumbai will never be better of if India is worse of in the area of governance. I am of the view that a major part of Mumbai's owes stems from governance failure at Centre and other states. Kamal-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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41. Anuja Sanghavi [email protected] The issue which need to be taken up first and foremost is urban planning in a sustainable manner - this should be first and foremost because the manner and pace of constuction is threatening the very existence of mumbai and its way of life If CAG is serious, they should interact with citizens and NGOs through consultation workshops which are open to all members of soceity so everyones interest can be addressed. these can be advertisied through radio, newspapers and hoardings. as well as word of mouth. Please put forward the issue of sustained and planned urban developmen for mumbai under the JNNURM Anuja
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42. Mugve Mangesh M [email protected]
More flyovers to be built . Try suggestion of building atop existing railway routes lines Exercise control on high rise Construction activities which are strife and rampant. The ‘B’ lobby seems to be going beserk in trying to make it a Shanghai, not realizing that you need roads and infrastructure to match. Traditional Cultural activities to be encouraged and be given large funds to preserve and sustain in this fast changing world. Immigration and particularly large scale illegal immigration to be stopped in larger and nobler national interests. MMMugve-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43. Mrs Homai Mehta [email protected] First let us have infrastructure for Mumbai Good roads linking EAST/West - North South with Flyovers Roads should not develop POT HOLES within six months of being constructed. If this is done, Mumbai can implement being an INTERNATIONAL Finance Centre With this in place, others will follow. Homai H. Mehta
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------44. Ms. Sequeira. [email protected]
Fabulous self-less service done by Karmayog. Apart from these following issues I would like to mention about the infrastructure projects and BMC’s corruption in road maintenance. Also, due to vote bank politics mushrooming slums eating Mumbai away. Ms. Sequeira.
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------45. Anita PD [email protected]
Thanks you for keeping us updated on what the CAG is planning to do. I am just wondering that the wish of things do not include Dharavi rehabilitation plan which will be affecting 57,000 households in this city.. those households who actually help run this city. Today I read that 57 international builders are staking their claims in the bid for rehabilitation of Dharavi and no one actually asked the opinions of the people affected by this for their input into the dialogues, plans etc. Any thoughts on that? Dr. Anita Patil-DeshmukhDirector, PUKARSenior Adviser, India China InstituteAddress: PUKAR1-4 Kamanwala ChambersSecond Floor, Sir PM Road, FortMumbai 400 001 India.T: 91 22 6505 3302 91 22 6574 8152F: 91 22 6664 0561www.PUKAR.org.in www.indiachina.newschool.edu-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46. pavan iyengar [email protected]
The main issue for a city like Mumbai is to :
Improve the roads.Improve the Drainage.Improve the civic sense.Decentralise the jobs and housing to the fringe areas of Mumbai.Improve the sanitation and cleanliness of the City and Neighbouring areas. Give livelihood to the slum dwellers.Increase tree cover in Mumbai.Involve intellectuals in colleges and institutes in the planning and implementation processes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47. Neela Joglekar
I think the important issues that need to be addressed about Mumbai are,
1. the continuous influx of people which negates any new infrastructural changes that the authorities initiate. The city is congested and dirty and no amount of good intentions on anyone' s part, make any long term difference to it's condition.
2. lack of consistent governance
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------48. Praveen Tripathi
I appreciate your initiative of consulting the citizens rather than merely claiming to represent them.
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However, if you are genuinely interested in soliciting opinions for a large number of recipients of your mail, you need to send this mail at least ten days PRIOR to PM’s Mumbai visit and give the mail recipients SEVEN calendar days to revert to you with meaningful suggestions. For whatever it is worth, I submit my opinion that the demand for an IIM at Mumbai is the most frivolous one….there are so many basic and critical issues facing Mumbai – Mass transport system, slum improvements, repeal of Rent Control Act and Urban Land Ceiling Act, improving the quality of infrastructure, teachers and teaching at all municipal/government primary schools in Mumbai, adoption of one Maharashtra district by each assembly constituency of Mumbai…. Having said that, your efforts are commendable. Praveen TripathiChief Executive, HANSA Consulting206/207 (2nd floor), Anand Complex, Anand Estate,189, Sane Guruji Marg, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai 400 011, India.Phone : +91 22 23014135 Ext 2006 or +91 22 23000106 (Direct Line)Mobile : +91 98202 92224
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------49. Rajasekharan Pathy [email protected]
I'm born & brought up in Mumbai. The main problems the city faces, from my view point are: 1. Influx of loads of immigrants from other states / cities for labour & for the 'pot of gold'. These people come in without basics being ensured: - Place to live - Daily sanitation - Daily minimum wages This is leading to a collapse of the city's infra. (jhuggis, jhopdis, sanitation issues, people sleeping on the streets, hawking, begging, chock-a-block public transport etc.) Solution: Any import or influx of people should be controlled through planned areas for staying, sanitation & minimum wages being paid by the contractor / sponsor / being ensured by the immigrants before they come in. No basics being taken care of means they should be 'deported' to their place of origin. This happens on country levels and can be implemented on a state level too. 2. Total collapse of civic administration leading to:- Lack of garbage clearance- Lack of clean & usable public sanitation facilities- Stress on the city's infra. which is not being upgraded on time, every time- General filth, choked gutters, storm drains etc.- Bad roads Solution: Increase the resources provided to the civic body (BMC etc.) including but not limited to vehicles, garbage clearance trucks, people etc. Ensure that citizen leads are appointed for each locality to monitor the performance of the civic body responsible for that locality. The civic body should get a sign-off from these citizen leads on a weekly or fortnightly basis. The sign-off should be linked to incentives or penalties. These citizen leads can be the Chairmen / Secretaries of housing societies within localities, a mutually elected representative from the locality's basti or from the shopkeepers.
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3. BRIMSTOWAD Project- Immediate startup & fast progress of this project- Its all time & efforts. Drastically increase the efforts and reduce the time. This is required on high priority for Mumbai - Ensure that organizations, like L & T or similar, are in-charge of this project. Rather than existing civic bodies. Rajasekharan Pathy(M): +966.55.3336465, +91.9867682204 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50. vinita bhatia [email protected]
The biggest issue about Mumbai which needs to be highlighted is its deteriorating infrastructure. Some tangible and quantifiable measures should be decided to track why this is happening and how to contain it as well as how to improve it. An external agency should be put in place to run this entire infrastructure upheaval process and the workings should be transparent and placed in the public domain. Accountability for initiatives undertaken and their subsequent progress should also be made public.Rgds Vinita
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------51. harbhajan [email protected]
The issue of Population of India should be looked into. This situation may create problems such as unemployment, shortage of accommodation, shortage of electricity, shortage of water etc. There are also other issues. The law must be strict. We have got independence a long back. Mostly the poor people have died for independence. Now it is our duty to see that the poor people also can live happily if the day to day costs are not increased. Let the people live happy in Independent India. Jay Hind.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------52. Sudhir Shenoy [email protected]
A charter of demands should be sent beforehand so that the PM would be able to address the needs effectively. Generally the demands are taken and then the implementation takes a long time.There are several major issues which effect all terrorism, the influx of migrants,the lack of residential accomodation for the poor which makes the city dirty.
Sudhir-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53. JAYASHREE BHALLA [email protected] Your mails and karmayog's efforts are very articulate and persistent too – I am sure they will go a long way in making the govt. accountable. To answer your question my thoughts are the following The CAG /CM should display their plans and demands at the Town Hall or Asiatic library on an ongoing basis – a place where citizens can take a look and get involved and made aware. A word of caution in citizens getting involved is there is always several opinions and decisions are often not the voice of the knowledgeable professional/person but an outcry of a
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lot of people knowing very little about a specific solution. A building society is a scaled down version of our govt. and when we study different models it is apparent that not every group decision is a correct decision. The PM should prioritise funds to the city for the following 1) Making a master plan for Pedestrian, Cycle paths, handcart paths and Open space systems on overbridges along railway tracks. Our dabbawalas are praised the world over yet in terms of providing a path for them we want them to run along and dodge the BEST buses. Ours is a walking and working population , lets plan a connected pathway from Churchgate to Borivali and beyond through an Urban forest – its possible and it’s a solution to several interconnected problems of population, pollution and floods 2) Libraries for children like The Reading Tree at Worli , in every municipal ward for municipality school children – The libraries should be world class in terms of availability of books and resources for children, state of the art bathrooms, well ventilated spaces, music,dance, art classes, and provide free food to children who need it. Councellors and occupational trainers should be available 24x7. We need to create a NOW and TODAY for the citys children. The municipal school should house these libraries . I will be most happy to initiate the process and do one prototype –even fund it ! but the PM must inaugurate it and set the ball rolling for hundred others. 3) CLEAN THE CITY of all politician pictures, notice boards , happy birthday and welcome so and so…….. how would it be if every one started putting up hoardings to wish their friends happy birthday? So some money needs to be allotted to the police to employ hoarding removers. 4) Huge Gymnasiums and Sports Facilities to improve the mental health of a burdened population. There are several other ideas but these are all for today Jayashree BhallaSTUDIO FOR ENVIRONMENT & ARCHITECTURE3&4Purna, Sir Pochkhanwala Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, IndiaT +91 22 66633555F +91 22 66633633www.se-arch.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54. Swati [email protected]
a) how should the CM / CAG publicly display / discuss their demands, so as to receive feedback from a large group of citizens? i) There should be clarity among the public on whom exactly to be the one point conact for giving feedback, suggestions or expressing concerns.One call centre or one internet service is a must but only one. It is not possible for people to remember the changing corporators and the various numbers for every little thing. One point interface is a must. - Therefore Internet blog and forum for those who have access and a telephonic helpline
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ii) public meetings advertised prior via mass-media (Open house) in various parts of the city for those who may or may not have internet access so that specific issues can be discussed from time to time. 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? i) Hygiene and cleanliness is a major problem of the city. Negativity attracts negativity so cleansing is essenial before any beauty can be created. First the law enforcers and BMC should be given strict guidelines and then they should implement the same riorously whteher it is ban on spitting or garbage management. ii) Environment - we must think beyond humans, Humans are not the only owners of the city. It is a must to create habitat for trees and fauna which are too scarce and will certainly help the city be healthy and complete especially seeing the gpollution and lobal warming which is a huge danger for all of the earth especially coastal developed cities like Mumbai who will vanish in a few years until we wake up now. iii) Slums - the no1 issue which is hardly ever tackled. This should be the top priority. Govt to be answerable about why illegal occupants are allowed to encroach in the first place and why they are not asked to leave or punished for their offence at all, instead why theay are rewarded with free housing? It is ridiculous. Rather govt must develop rural and small towns in so that people are not forced out of need to not flock to Mumbai for a living without having the means to live here. The above are my top 3 suggestions at the moment. What is the number or email id of CAG and how can the citizen get involved? Does Karmayog help in sending the views across to the concerned people. Thank you very much for taking the initiative Swati Prakash-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To discuss on how to control the housing rates in Mumbai. This is the painful area of mumbaikars.
Thanks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------56. roslyn xavier [email protected]
All issues that are going to be discussed concerns only the financial well-off citizens... adding more butter to their bread. My concern for Mumbai is for the ordinary citizens who are trying to make two ends meet. I want the CAG to highlight the burning issues of affordable housing, clean drinking water, better road and rail services, affordable education, quality and affordable fruits and vegetables, an affordable health system. In the name of economic development, a 2000 year old culture is being steadily destroyed resulting in widening the gap between the haves' and the have-nots'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------57. francis monteiro [email protected]
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Pl see that all corruption is made nil at police stations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------58. Vishwas Ghaskadbi [email protected]
Dear Sir, For answering the question you have raised , it would be in order if we were to carry out a SWOT analysis of Mumbai. Mumbai knows its opportunities and strengths better than any other city in India. Action on the weaknesses and to face threats to the progress ,neigh the very survival, of the city could best be highlighted to the PM. I shall identify the single most important threat to this great city, and that is the threat of drowning. Unless timely action is taken, the city or at least its major areas would be drowned or submerged during our life time ( next 3 decades), like Dwaraka of Lord Shrikrishna.For this the following actions are necessary.These are illustrative and not comprehensive. A contour survey to be carried out to identify the low lying areas. Remove all the reclamation by Man, to the nature and restore them as lakes, open spaces, streams, rivers and storm water drains. Give the highest priority to rivers and storm water drain, to discharge rainwater falling at the rate of 3" /hour or more. ( Recently the subways in NewYork were submerged with the rainfall exceeding 1.5" per hour). At present we are thinking of priority for road transport and other surface and underground transport. It would be worthwhile examining whether the underground in Mumbai would be similarly submeged in case of heavy rains. Our aim should not be to make Mumbai like Shanghai. It may have to be more like Venice, i.e, full of water transport. We need not lose sight of the fact that Mumbai consisted of 7 islands initially, and as such to restore the balance , even if we are not able to go back to the concept of 7 islands, we should use more of river and sea transport. To this end rivers like Mithi , Oshiwara and Dahisar are to be widened and deepened, embankments constructed on either banks of the rivers and roads too along the river, to avoid encroachment. Ideally FSI of 1 is ok for the city. Lately the Govt had granted an FSI of 4 or 6 to some ares like Kurla Bandra complex, a low lying area. This is foolish. At no place it should exceed 2. Mumbai may be divided into areas each with a population of 1 lakh. For each such area there should be 25% open space as was laid down in the first 5-year plan. The open space could be in the form of playgrounds, lawns, parks, city forests, and even lakes and rivers. Slums should not be treated as open spaces. Paving of open areas in plots of various societies and open spaces is not in order. We should allow the rainwater to soak down to the earth, which paving does not allow. The recent flooding of London was attributed to such large scale paving of plots and housing societies.
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The suggestions made are by way of illustration and experts in the line can think of many more. We should be able to prepare a comutersed model of the city, and prepare the master plan, whuich would ensure that the city does not get drowned during rains, or as a result of global warming during this century. Please remember :Sar Salamat to pagdi pachas. Vishwas Ghaskadbi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------59. Bhadresh
Improvement in infrastructure facilities and implementation of report to make Mumbai as IFC is paramount importance since manufacturing base is drying out from Mumbai.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------60. Feroza Saran [email protected]
1) CM should put up a website called Mumbai Development and put up all proposals on the website and get feed back from citizens. 2) Also all Municipal Ward Offices should display on their notice boards the forthcoming proposals regarding Mumbai's development. 3) CM should be in regular touch with relevant NGOs and local Mohalla Committees & LACGs who are working for the betterment of the city. 4) Show short slides or documentary in cinema halls, giving an email address or postal address for feed back. 5) Make CDs available with the BMC offices for the public to view at home. 6) Making more and more flyovers is not the answer to Mumbai's Traffic problems. There should be excellent public transport. 7) All heritage buildings should be preserved and protected, and no permission should be given for builders to break them down. Mumbai's original character will be totally lost if this is not implemented. 8) Minimum green belt zone to be maintained around all buildings to maintain greenery, combat pollution and ensure water percolation to increase groundwater levels and prevent flooding. Feroza Saran-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61. Bajpai [email protected] I have following suggestions: 1) There should be a forum like Karmayog / NGO Council (I don’t know whether at present there is any such provision) every three months representatives of various citizen
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committees/association/NGOs should be able to meet chief Minister and home minister to present/the pressing needs of our city and in the next meeting ATR should be presented by the authorities. This meeting should be either on Saturday afternoon or on Sunday around 11 a.m.
2) For the time being most pressing issues as per my opinion are..a) Roads should be repaired on a war footing…reason millions of rupees are burnt by way of halted/slow movements of vehicles. b) Emphasis to be given for pure drinking water to prevent diseases which in turn will prevent man power loss.c) To try sincerely to reduce corruption d) On a regular basis govt. should give information about positive actions/cleared projects through both print and electronic media to masses These are few suggestions from the point of view of general public others given by CAG should also be there. Once the proper forum is available many more good suggestions would be forthcoming. Bajpai -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62. G.C. Mathur [email protected]
Please add to the demands: 1. Update RTI for making its implementation - read imposing penalties for not providing correct informtion, or delaying tactics, or diverting the crux of the issues - an obligation for the bureaucracy and CIC.2. Strict implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (Amended) at the District Forum and State Commission levels. 3. Stop appearance of lawyers in the Consumer Courts in India. At least, it should be made subject to the engagement of lawyers by the consumer-complainant.4. Any penalties imposed by any arm of the judiciary, or semi-judicial forum, in the cases lost by the GoI/State Govenment departments should be recovered by the person who causes the litigation in the first instance, and must not be paid from the State Exchequer.5. Annual Reports of the officers in the Govenment Departments of the Centre & States should be productivity linked.6. Information Counters at the Receptions of the Government Departments at the Centre and the States should be made more transparent and updated regularly at a fortnightly interval.7. Do not be afraid of the Rightists & and the Leftists - the extremists of the first order. G.C. MathurConvenr-Trustee Treasurer, Binty.Tel: 011-26136232.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------63. Vivek A. Mandlik [email protected]
My replies within the original email: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 The Arjun Singh Ministry will run in front to ensure 170% reservations under different castes (sick of this word for reservation 60 years after independence). So there will be just 10 or 15
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open seats & all these johnhies anyway get government funded education & fly abroad the same night on which the results are declared. So either way it is immaterial for ordinary salaried middle class. I can say these IIMs /IITs will be useful for political cash income class & government servants who earn black unaccounted income out of the authority they hold as a government authority & on which they don’t pay a single pie as tax ( rather the Income tax dept will not have the guts/ courage to approach these guys asking for payment of tax. b) Speedy implementation of the report to make Mumbai as an International Finance Centre (IFC) There is no need for Mumbai improvement . The backword states like Bihar / UP & such states where GDP growth is below 5% should be placed under a separate private sector company for development ( we can give this contract to the same british government to develop these states for next 50 years). So that the people from these states will not unnecessarily migrate in search of jobs, particularly crowding the zopadpatties in mumbai . The Politicians cannot solve developmental issues. 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?CM of Mumbai should discuss only about LATUR & LATUR pattern of development. For development of Mumbai its not his cup of tea. Lets accept this fact. Let him do his Latus Mumbai Delhi & latur travel.CM should be one who has proved. This is no more than a theatre artiste smiling & smiling as if he is a Mayor of India . 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? Politicians & Government staff should be kept away from budget spending. Their budget spending is earning money by way of a % of the amount disbursed. Straight & simple . Even if the government pays these employees 50th pay commission as against 5th pay commission salary their habits will not die. Better recommendation would be let there be a tax free society. Let government print as much money it wants. At least the salaried class & the ordinary middle class will not have to just pay & pay taxes & surcharges. This is India & India will be corrupt as u have seen I have seen & many generations will see it deteriorating day by day . Even if the US Federal Reserve lends Say US $ 500 billion to us for 100 years without interest the amount which is more than double the forex reserves of India after 60 years, this maount of US $ 500 billion will be spent in less than one year & still u will fund there is same infrastructure , rotton third class roads , because , the politicians & Government employees have a joint venture to loot the budget amount for their own benefit. The cannons of taxation , the economics of development is for u & me to discuss. Thankfully we have great people like Tatas & Murthy of Infosys who are keeping the wheels moving in right direction. But it ends there. No hopes -------
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Vivek
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------64. denny john [email protected]
Issues pertaining to public health in Mumbai: Comments on Public Health Status in Mumbai City a) ICDS Programme Although Supreme Court had passed an order in December 2005 regarding Universalisation of ICDS programme, till date around 200 ICDS facilities are yet to be provided in areas of Mumbai. Many vulnerable populations such as street children, children in construction sites etc have been found to be not receiving any support from ICDS programme. In May 2007, 501 children in the city of Mumbai are to be said in Grades III and IV of undernutrition - Sumita Deb Roy, Times of India As per NFHS-3, 60% of Mumbai’s women are anemic 40% of children in the city are underweight 14% of Mumbai’s children are classified as ‘wasted’ due to nutritional deficiencyOnly 57% of children of less than 6 months age in Mumbai receive extra supplement apart from mother’s milk. b) Health Budgets Only around 2.32% of the state’s GDP is invested in health resulting in lack of public health infrastructure in the city. c) Urban health policy - Lack of urban health policy framework for Mumbai city- Lack of standards of treatment for private hospitals in city resulting in over- treatment and exorbitant bills- Implementation of various legal procedures for private health facilities by municipal health authorities such as PNDT Act, and Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act.
denny johnInstitute of Public Health
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65. Kalpana Rangan [email protected]
1) The CM should have an open session with concerned citizens or invite their suggestions through the net. 2) Maintenance of roads and drains and pavements. Also construction of more public toilets in slums and places of interest and proper maintenance of the same. Kalpana -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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66. Ravi [email protected]
As one who has been visiting Mumbai adequately frequently my priorities would be: 1. garbage disposal and 2. decongestion (it would indeed conflict with first demand on your list!) Regarding taking feedback from a large cross section of the public the option is simple in this cyber age: display the requirement as tele text in every TV channel possible and ask for e-mail or SMS to a particular e-mail id/ tele number. Thereafter collating should be no problem. Ravi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------67. ramanuja sabha
If the services work efficiently & if authorities takes care of our civic needs it is much more than sufficient for the common man for a happy living.
Sundararajan.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68. R.K.Menon [email protected]
Is this all that Mumbai needs? What about its poor, rotting infrastructure-clean air, clean and pure water supply, drainage facilities, mass transport facilities, educational institutions for the less privileged, etc? If Mumbai is to become like other great cities of the world, all its citizens have to be taken care of. Without this, Mumbai will only rot further. I am shocked by the callousness of the CAG- The IIM and IFC can wait, the infrastructure cannot.With Regards.From: R.K.Menon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------69. SUNDERLALL DHINGRA [email protected]
Setting up of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority at the earliest Dr S. L DHINGRA Prof. of TRANSP. SYSTEMS ENGG. (TSE) CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY POWAI,BOMBAY-400 076,INDIA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------70. Mandar Sawant [email protected]
I´m adding following points which are important issues regarding development of Mumbai. a) Development of Mumbai´s infrastructure with emphasis on Intelligent city design, at same time maintaining and developing more greener zones/parks.
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b) Upgradation of Transport System. Important is suburban railways. Expansion of existing rail network. Speedy construction of metro project & its expansion to share the load of suburban and BEST services. c) Funds for upgradation of Mumbai International(Sahar) Airport. d) Sanction funds to BMC for upgradation of existing drainage system & its expansion to support the growing population e) Sanction funds for Health & Sanitation. Setup Municipal health centres for free medical help to the needy and slum population. f) Rehabiliation of slum population. g) Overall Centre to sanction funds for Mumbai every year for various sectors in proportion to the Revenue generated from Mumbai as Income Tax and other Taxes. Citizens of Mumbai should have better city life for the contribution they make to the National Revenue and GDP of nation. Mandar.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71. sudhir and kokila mehta [email protected]
Most urgent issues are: stop unauthorised construction. Check before giving permission. Hospital services should be extended to remote villages.
Kokila
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------72. Lata P.M.
I am a single woman, I feel it is now very difficult to live any more in this city. Because day to day it is becoming expensive, luxurious. A social activist like me who served for the societty from 26 yrs feeling betrayed by the Govt who does not afford to work here any morejust because no housing.
Therefore, I think that the issues of housing for deserted single women and people under BPL should be added. Now adays the costs of housings are denying access to a shelter for a common humanbeing. The second one is there is highly traffick jam. No control on privatevehicles, the construction of the fly overs and the repair work is everywhere and workers from their offices can not reach in time and safely. We should demand for more train services and best buses as well as private vehicles on CNG to avoid pollution. The threat of the flood in Mansoon still there so there should be the demand of the no reclaimation onthe sea shore and all the huge multistories building and bunglows near Mihti river should be vacated in this year, so next year the river will be opened. No eviction of the slums and the original fishworkers near sea coast because they are the main supporters of this metropolitan city who are keeping clean the city and arranging food for the city. Govt should take the responsibilityof their life and employment. There should be 100% taxes for all big industries, shopping molls and all enchrochers who are playing game on the name of SEZ. The development should be common people, gender and eco friendly.
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Lata P.M.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------73. Paul Abraham
Well as always there are many issues but i think the key ones are about
1) The space utilisation and the need for greater availability of green space and also places that encourage physical sport and exercise. 2) More place for the Performing Arts which are affordable and which encourage talent. 3) Public Parking space 4) Compulsory laws with respect to Housing and the governance around it whether in terms of the Urban Land Ceiling Act or, Tenancy act . There is not transparency at all around the whole issue of Land, its ownership, its transfer and the regulatory environment around it. Developers obligations, state obligations, buyers right, landlord rights, tenant rights etc are all suitably grey and muddled. 5)More laws around creating sustainable practices eg waste segregation and disposal, rain water harvesting, cycling tracks and facilitation of cyclists, pollution control etc and encouraging general community and citizen ship
Paul Abraham, Managing Director ABN AMRO Central Enterprise Services (ACES)Tel 91-22-66647900 Fax91-22-66647901-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74. vatsala trivedi [email protected]
My main concern is the plight of waiting pts for cadaveric kidney transplantations Two main reasons for this state are 1 poor implementation of the law by the govt2 public apathy I feel govt has no time for understanding the problem. pl help these voices to reach PM so that our CM can give some attention these helpless pts I am Dr Vatsala Trivedian urologist & transplant surgeon, & gen sec of Zonal transplant co ordination center struggling to promote deceased donor (cadaveric) organ transplantation program in Mumbai. For more details pl visit www.ztccmumbai.org
Dr. Vatsala.Trivedi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------75. Roshni Patekar
I have 2 issues 1) There should be some concession in home loan rates for handicapped people. 2) For Master studies, handicapped people should have some concession in fees and marks. Regards, Roshni Patekar Compensation Team
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Patni Computer Systems Ltd. Unit 55, SDF II, SEEPZ, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 096 Tel: 91 22 28291454 ext. 5137 Fax: 91 22 28292764.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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