Sanctioned clean-up amount lapses as councillors squabble over renaming
Sanctioned clean-up amount lapses as councillors squabble over renaming
Priorities, priorities... or the abysmal lack of it. Even as Bandra residents successfully dissuaded the BMC from renaming the Swami Vivekanand Sarovar, popularly known as Bandra Talao, to Professor Sadanand Varde sarovar, serious issues like cleaning the lake remain unattended.
"We have no grudges against the late leader, who was also a minister for education, culture and sports and also participated in the quit India movement, but removing the name of a national icon like Swami Vivekananda is absurd," said Aaftab Siddique, an activist from Bandra.
The professor served in the capacity of municipal councillor for three terms and was also the MLA from the Bandra constituency.
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"It was never utilised and the talao now resembles a sewage pond," said Siddique producing a copy of the letter issued by BMC, which categorically states that the name of the talao should not be changed.
Mosquito Menace
Ramakant Mykar, manager of Highpeak society, which overlooks the talao, said the numerous complaints have been made to the authorities, by the society as the lake is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the stench arising from it is unbearable.
"People throw garbage and even defecate around the talao, which is a haven for drug addicts and other anti-social elements," he said.
Shaina NC of I Love Mumbai stated that the organisation had approached the BMC in 2005 and volunteered to beautify the lake, but the proposal was unceremoniously rejected at the last minute, after three years of scrutiny. "Our point was simple, why utilise public money, when corporates are willing to fund the project.
Months have been wasted on the floor of the house on this absurd naming issue," alleged Shaina.
Additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar (western suburbs) stated that she was not in Mumbai and would be in a position to comment on the case only after scrutinising the relevant papers.
Official Speak
Shrinivas Mulgundkar, assistant commissioner, H West ward, justified the stand of the BMC by saying that they wanted to do something special for the talao, which included laser shows, boating and jogging tracks.u00a0
Nothing could be finalised, but the plan and provision of funds are in place and would be implemented in due course.
"I agree that the state of the sarovar is dismal. We do clean it regularly, but the amount of garbage thrown in it is huge and it's a daunting task for us," said Mulgundkar
Before and After |
King Circle > Maheshwari Udyan |
History of the Talao |
S V Sarover, spread over 27,000 sq m, is said to be owned by Kokani Muslims, who resided in the locality. Subsequently, the lake was acquired by the BMC for maintenance. |