While they recognise the importance of casting their vote on October 21, South Mumbai residents feel they have little to look forward to. In Colaba, the nuisance of hawkers and the lack of parking space has affected shop owners, pedestrians and residents. Nadi Atiramani, the owner of a garment store, says, "The hawkers block access to our shops. We have complained to the BMC time and again but the problem persists."

For over a decade, residents of Bhuleshwar have similarly continued their fight against jewellery workshops in their area. Although, political leaders had intervened, they continue to suffer from asthma, bronchitis and restrictive lung disease due to toxic fumes from factory chimneys. Vijay Shah, treasurer of the Bhuleshwar Residents Association, says, "We had approached corporators but they are all hand-in-glove with the jewellers. Rampant corruption meant that we had to move court but the matter is progressing slowly."