Infrastructure that benefits citizens, makes lives slightly easier, is always welcome
Infrastructure that benefits citizens, makes lives slightly easier, is always welcome. But, when civic authorities undertake projects with little to no thought on long-term advantages of the same, the initiatives end up becoming a nuisance at best and a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money at worst. In most case, however, it is both.
In a story that may seem annoyingly familiar, the Western Railway designed a Rs 10 crore elevated platform for autorickshaws at Andheri, recently. But instead of serving the purpose it was built for, the deck is being used as a canoodling point. Meanwhile, authorities are contemplating setting up ATM booths and a food plaza on it.
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But this isn’t the only instance of a high budget infra project being misused or simply not being used, in the city. There are many such establishments, which silently mock taxpayers. A number of skywalks lie unused, while miscreants use dimly lit subways for nefarious activities. A small skywalk in Prabhadevi has not been used for years — people simply cross the road below it. In fact, a barber’s shop operates from a small alcove between the pillars of the skywalk.
The mammoth Nana Chowk skywalk is a stark example of white elephants in the city. Non-functional escalators on the skywalk ensure it remains unused for greater parts of the year. Couples are seen making out on the skywalk, and discarded liquor bottles strewn around the platform prove the extent of abuse the skywalk is subjected to.
These are just a few examples. More thought needs to go into building “necessary” amenities for people, keeping in mind the long-term benefits of the same. Perhaps some research work is in order before undertaking infra projects. Sure it would take up some time, but as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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