Mumbaikars flag garbage, encroachments and footpath woes as civic issues persist

ProblemsGarbage not cleared despite complaintDespite having requested the BMC via their WhatsApp complaint line the garbage at Nishtha Bhavan New Marine Lines remains uncollected If the government cannot practice what they preach and attempt to keep the city clean why blame the common man for littering Received an acknowledgment stating ldquoWe have successfully registered your grievance You can track it using the complaint number AX_202600113605rdquo But no further action has been takenRashmi KharbandaIllegal encroachmentsThere is rampant and continuing illegal encroachments at Powai Plaza Hiranandani Gardens It has now been six months that I have started raising complaints about these encroachments I have repeatedly approached the authorities concerned including MMRDA and have submitted multiple complaints along with photographic evidence clearly demonstrating the extent of the violations Despite this there has been no meaningful or visible enforcement on the ground and the encroachments continue to increase and the situation is becoming progressively worsePradeep GuptaFootpath unusablePicsYuhan ShaikhWith illegal parking and garbage piled up on the footpath there is there is no place to walk near the MHADA buildings behind Al Barakat School in VB Nagar Kurla Request your help in this matterYuhan ShaikhSeveral issues plaguing this areaThis is a formal complaint regarding the rapid increase in unauthorised posters hoardings bamboo structures and encroachments along Pandit CR Vyas Marg and Swastik Park residential stretch in ChemburThe situation now requires preventive enforcement and not merely forwarding of complaints between departments The following issues persist1 Large bamboo and semipermanent structures erected on or around electricity poles and other public infrastructure2 Large posters and banners are being installed immediately outside residential buildings often without the consent of the affected societiesresidents These installations are blocking building entrances visibility natural light and ventilation3 Posters and supporting material are loosely secured and hanging over the road creating a risk of falling on pedestrians motorists vehicles or private property4 Public footpaths and roadside spaces are increasingly being occupied and treated as privately controlled spaceResidents who object to such installations have reportedly faced pressure intimidation and threats Request concrete action on these complaintsA very concerned citizenResponsesAfter Mumbaikars sent in their questions and woes to midday last Monday some of the authorities concerned responded We havenrsquot given up on the rest We shall continue to hold authorities accountable for the state of the cityToo many potholesReader NishantAuthorities respond The state government and BMC have taken up planned work on concreting of all smaller and internal roads in the city and suburbs There is a planned set of works and the road concerned will also be subsequently taken up for concreting As of now work has been put on hold for the monsoon and shall resume after thatConstant traffic jamReader Harsh KapadiaRTO responds The traffic jam problem has been noted by the authorities and they have assured to depute more staff to monitor the situation The issue of roads has also been taken up with the BMCPlease restore bus servicesReader Subodh HaridasBEST responds Officials said ldquoThe bus route had been discontinued for road concreting work The services will be soon restored following the necessary approvals by the traffic police the BMC and all the other relevant authoritiesrdquoPiles of garbage on trackReader Harsh KapadiaAuthorities responds WR had earlier fenced the encroachments and cleared all of them following the court order Besides imposing fine for littering the clearance of garbage is being regularly done with the help of the local BMC office The site is now being taken up for rail developmental work and a circulating area for passengers In addition to this the site has also been earmarked for works on the sixth line between Khar and Mumbai Central