|
DEBRIS SATYAGRAHA
Mumbai Central residents took to a ‘debris satyagraha’, irritated by the BMC‘s apathy towards clearing debris from their area even after repeated complaints; the residents collected debris, put it on handcarts and dumped it in front of the local ‘E’ ward municipal office ..........GEETA DESAI
Residents of Mumbai Central observed ‘debris satyagraha’, a kind of protest against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday. They protested against the civic body’s apathy towards clearing debris from their area even after repeated complaints.
To attract the BMC’s attention, the residents gathered at Moreland Road to collect stones, cement slabs, pieces of pipes and rubble left on the roads. They put the debris on handcarts and dumped in front of the local ‘E’ ward municipal office. Stunned by their act, security personnel at the gate of the ward office asked them to meet the ward officer on Monday to air their grievances. But the angry residents refused to budge. Without arguing they just piled all the debris right in front of the gates. Later they displayed placards inviting the attention of other residents who also offered their support. “ Inke saath aisa karenge to hi samjhenge (This is the only way to make them realise). This is the best way to get our complaints across to the civic officers”, said an impressed Aslam Khan who lives near Maratha Mandir. He had stopped by with his eight-year old son on his bike to watch the scene. Mohd Azim, a taxi driver who led the satyagraha, said “I want my area to be clean. When we pay taxes, it’s our right. We are fed up of BMC’s inaction.” Another resident, Mohammad Salim said, “We face a lot of traffic problem because the rubble is not cleared from the road for months.” The protest was supported by activists campaigning for the rights of pedestrians on city roads. “Every corporator and ward officer should be made responsible for keeping their area clean. Citizens should make them realise their duty,” said Dr. Nilesh Baxi from Tardeo who was there to support the campaign. While BMC admitted the problem of debris, it feels such an act cannot be justified on part of the citizens. “We have JCB dumper ready for 24 hours to clear the debris regularly. Citizens are welcome to send us complaints so that we can work effectively. We penalise those who dump debris illegally,” said P J Patil, assistant commissioner ‘E’ ward. Clockwise from top: The residents gathered at Moreland Road to collect stones, cement slabs, pieces of pipes and rubble left on the roads. They put the debris on handcarts and dumped it in front of the local ‘E’ ward municipal office. Stunned by their act, security personnel at the gate of the ward office asked them to meet the ward officer on Monday to air their grievances. But the angry residents refused to budge and displayed placards.
|
