Mumbai: Slums cause majority of problems in L-ward

With more than half the area occupied by illegal shantytowns, L-Ward is more like a super slum itself. Because of this, the problems of the slums are the problems of the entire ward.

All of Kurla suffers from acute water cuts, illegal encroachments on footpaths, badly maintained roads and a general lack of hygiene and failure to tackle building garbage. Because of haphazardly built slum pockets, this ward also faces the threat of landslides and severe waterlogging issues, particularly in areas like Jari Mari and Asalpha.

Main Issues:

Shabby slums: Jari Mari (ward number 155) is the smallest area in L-ward. But this small slum has big problems. Cleanliness is an issue throughout the year, but becomes particularly tough during the monsoon, when the residents are forced to wade through waterlogged roads. Public toilets are poorly maintained and garbage collection is irregular.

Despite being a scenic spot and a community hub, garbage is scattered all over Sheetal Talao and the adjoining jogging tracks. Pic/Atul Kamble

Apart from the hygiene issues, another crucial problem is the rundown state of the municipal school. The local primary school had around 600 students but does not have adequate facilities to support them. The teachers of Jari Mari Municipal Urdu School teach the students with bare minimum facilities in a 20×20 room. Leaky roofs make it even harder in the monsoon. Teachers and residents have written to the authorities several times to address this problem, to no avail.

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Airport agony: Slum pockets like Jari Mari, Kajupada and Bail bazaar pose a direct threat to airport operations as they are situated right along the boundary wall of the international airport. There have been several cases of intruders climbing over the wall and entering the airport premises. There are also known cases of people flashing laser beams on aircraft or carrying out other such activities. The Saki Naka police station has even developed a watchtower to keep an eye on such hazardous activities.

Water woes: All of Kurla West suffers from severe water issues. When the locals do get water supply, it is often murky and contaminated. Residents have often approached the local ward office, to no avail. In fact, even the very lane on which the ward office is situated, gets such contaminated supply of water.