03 February,2018 06:05 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day correspondent
All the crores allocated towards infrastructure in the budget and hot-button phrases like growth spurt have little meaning when we continue to go wrong on smaller basics and people suffer because of easily preventable slip-ups by authorities.
A report in this paper cited how, two months ago, when the municipal corporation first began repairing drainage pipes in Andheri West, residents were happy about clogged lines being cleared. That happiness has turned to regret, as the drains have been left open. The stagnant water and stench has made life unbearable for residents. They claim the mosquito menace is growing, thanks to the drains. Their complaints have resulted in zilch action.
Drains cannot be left open for more than two to three days. Something beneficial like unclogging the drains should not take longer than this, and the drains must be closed immediately. If there are different agencies working on the project, they must coordinate better to ensure that the project is completed in time, so that citizens are not inconvenienced.
Several issues like these continue to dog different pockets of the city. Some initiative gets stalled for some reason or the other, agencies are not on the same page for some reason or the other, and projects are started but left hanging.
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In this instance, the open drains are a definite hazard. The old or infirm can easily slip and fall into them. Children are equally at risk.
As a result of open drains and garbage everywhere, hawkers have now taken to selling their wares on the main road, causing more congestion in an already crowded locality.
Clearly, if the problem is left to fester, it will continue to have a cascading impact.
Energy, alertness and quick action are needed to bring this to an end.
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