Dadar's lungs gasping for air
Surendra Gangan

Over 50,000 families squeezed in 535 acres of Dharavi. These are tell-tale
figures that throw ample light on the quality - or lack of it - of life
people lead in Asia's biggest cluster of slums.

The story of Dharavi runs on similar lines - uncontrolled population,
collapsed drainage system, insufficient and unhygienic drinking water, and
noisy bylanes. The state government plans for redevelopment haven't gone
down well with the residents.

The G North ward presents two starkly contrasting faces - biggest slum at
one end of the spectrum and huge residential towers, and plush MNC offices
at the other.

Residents of Prabhadevi, Shivaji Park and Mahim fight for protecting their
open spaces and playing grounds while slum dwellers in Dharavi don't even
realise their basic right of potable water and hygienic conditions.

Councillors have been claiming that funds have been spent on amenities, but
the hardship of the people have hardly ended.

Residents from the Dharavi have been opposing the plan since its formation.
"They are going to provide us big houses and self employment, but how we are
going to cope with the heavy taxes and charges on them," asked Amin Sheikh,
resident of Kunte Nagar.

Resident associations in Shivaji Park, Mahim and Prabhadevi have been
fighting to protect their grounds. The battle starts from Nardulla Tank
Maidan behind Siddhivinayak temple, Dhyaneshwar Garden in Shivaji Park, Veer
Kotwal garden near Plaza and ends at Shivaji Park. "Some 9 plots have been
dereserved from their original reservation for dispensary, hospitals,
market, playgrounds and other utilities. The BMC has been maintaining it has
no money to maintain the gardens, but what happens to the budget earmarked
for the prupose," asked Girish Raut, an activist from Mahim.

Old, dilapidated buildings from Dadar and Prabhadevi have been facing
drinking water problem for the past few years. Tenants blame the newly built
towers for the shortage and say their share of water is compromised



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