The idea to separate 'town' and suburbs is controversial. That the suburbs developed hapazardly without adequate infrastructure cannot be a consequence of more policemen being stationed in town. It is deficiency in town planning and inflated real estate. Anyway, we elect representatives for each ward and if they were to discharge their duties adequately, we would not need to worry about either separating Mumbai from Maharashtra or even seperating the two parts of the city. The solution is to have planned expansion as has occured in Navi Mumbai, to develop the Mumbai-Pune stretch with clusters of commercial and residential facilities dispersed along the way. We need to develop more CBDs along the lines of BKC. So long as we have an elongated city with offices and expensive homes in South Mumbai, there is going to be the issue of the poor suburban cousin. We cannot undo the damage caused to suburban Mumbai, but we can by creating a more enabling economic and social environment elsewhere to balance population spreads and demands on infrastructure. Imagine what would happen if all the back off jobs would be done in new Mumbai and what if a Walmart comes up on the Mum-Pune Expressway
One can't but agree wholeheartedly with Sivaswamy's views on the administration's apathy towrds suburban Mumbai.In fact our people have been tolerant for too long. How about suburban citizens making a start through the ageis of their respective co-operative housing soceities and refuse to pay the municipal taxes till the BMC comes up with an area specific, work specific ,project specific budget ,and allocation of responsibility for ward officers with their names being made public? For too long have we citizens tolerated pathetic roads, piled up garbage etc and an indifferent administration.
I fully agree with the author that Mumbai should be bifurcated. In fact I am amazed as to why Mumbaikars have tolerated this for so long. Mumbai is the only city in the world where the suburbs are discriminated against. No once thinks as to why autorickshaws are not allowed beyond Mahim and Sion? to preserve the air for townies. Why the administration does not allow hutments and illegal encroachments to the extent they are allowed in the suburbs. One reason is that the babus and mantris live on south Mumbai. Even the retired babus corner prime plots in South Mumbai and Sea face and they like to keep their retirement homes prsitine. In fact one more suggestion is to take back all the retired babus homes in South Mumbai and allocate them large homes in the suburbs and then see how quickly the suburbs will clean up.
I,a hard core Maharashtrian, agree with idea of improving the infrastructure of Mumbai however do not agree at all with author's idea of seperating Mumbai from Maharashtra.This is because of two things, there is no doubt that Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra due to its roots of Maharashtrian culture, people and ofcourse the efforts taken by Maharashtra in building the city.Secondly ( I hope author may not belong to this group) groups of people who have come from states like UP, Bihar and South to Mumbai have done nothing but to put the load on Mumbai's administration.Many of these people are living in dire conditions and further they have worsen the life of local people.So instead of seperating Mumbai, government should ban the in-flow of people in Mumbai. I stay in Pune.Here also what I have observe is that people keep on coming here for Job opportunities, good political and social environment from all over India. And what's the impact - land costs increases too much, infrastructure collapses and what not. So tomorrow some one will say, we want seperate administration body for Pune state. So solution is not o create any seperate administration body but to make some stringent legislatory action to stop population growth in Mumbai. It needs strong political and social will. And last but not least, dear author, whatever TAX you pay in various forms, we also pay the same amount to government. So nobody should be under impression that only "Mumbai" people pay taxes and which is used to improve whole India.
Well , for the first time somebody realised that there should be differentiation between the City and the Suburbs. But what about the Navi Mumbai Kalyan Thane Vasai Belt which actually bore the brunt of the rain and has been paid no attention from the Politicians and Media too. Many of these areas are under water and without power. All the garbage of Mumbai is dumped here and the goodies go to Mumbai and suburbs in that order. Anybody caring about it?? Dont forget that they are the major link in the supply chain that feeds the city
The ghostly rains which washed away wealth worth crores of rupees, homes of poor and middle class and hundreds of lives has gone away and left scary memories in minds of those who suffered the nature calamity.
The step motherly treatment that has been received by the Mumbai suburbs is unbelievable. What I have experienced on the Tuesday that witnessed the cruelty of nature is unexpected in a Financial Capital of the Country. All of us were stranded between Wadala Matunga for whole night. Three Police Vans, including wireless van around us did nothing except opening their shirts to sleep comfortably in their vans. When I got out of my car at 2.30 am to assess the situation, I could see tired and helpless people locked themselves in their cars to catch on sleep. Our repeated requests to BEST drivers to move their empty buses in one side failed because of the arrogance of the drivers and conductors. Forcefully we moved 3 BEST buses in one corner and helped people move towards Matunga and Dadar where the high-way was quite open and people could reach their homes staying in nearby areas. We requested Cops to help us at least in stream lining the traffic to enable old, ladies and sm
It is very natural to see the attitude of the 'rulers'. If you see the people who currently stay and rule the city it should be very easy to understand why this approach.
These people come to Mumbai only to earn money and become wealthy. None of them care about the city. If you grow up in the city and plan to be part of the city then you may care about the city. What does our CM or most of his cabinet ministers care about the city. They care only about personal wealth. Also our central govt cares nothing about the city as long as it keeps contributing to the national wealth.
So just dividing the city in different administrative parts will not help. more drastic and demanding approach by the city residents is required
First and foremost I would like to inform the Government that They have only extended the road leaving no space for dranage and that's why we had to face this problem. they have only extended the roads in the suburb as well as on the highway and they have not left any drainage that during monsoon what will be our faith.
