A dug-up footpath outside Bageshri Co-operative Housing Society Ltd in Santacruz has been inconveniencing its residents for over a week. While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had informed residents in advance that underground repair works would be carried out, the latter say no visible progress has taken place even after several days, turning the area into both a pedestrian hazard and an access nightmare.
“The BMC had sent us a letter on October 6, saying that the development work related to stormwater drains would begin on that day, and all efforts would be taken to ensure minimal difficulty to the residents. However, it has been almost 10 days now since they dug up the road, but no work has been done,” said Sanjay Patkar, a resident.
The dug-up footpath, which has been barricaded
Asked why the work wasn’t progressing, a contract worker on the site told mid-day, “Due to the works going on at Ghodbunder Road in Thane, trucks have been halted there, and so we have not received materials to begin work here. We are expected to get materials tomorrow [Wednesday], and we will be able to start work from the day after.”
Residents’ woes
Rupa Badkar, another resident, said, “The entire stretch outside our gate is dug up and barricaded, but no work is happening. It’s been more than a week now. We were cooperative when the letter came, thinking it was for important civic work. But if there’s no progress, why leave it open like this? It’s making our daily movement extremely difficult. There is no place to alight from autos when we return from work. It`s a two-way road which gets packed during peak hours. The footpath on the opposite side of our building is of no use bikes are parked adjacent to it, making it inaccessible during the daytime. It is occupied by drug addicts and other antisocial elements during the evening hours. Where do we walk from?”
Geetaben Makwana, who is concerned about foul water entering building premises
Apart from the lack of walking space, the residents also claimed that drainage water enters their building whenever the dug-up stormwater drain gets clogged. “Water from a cattle shed and small shops nearby is let out through the drain that they have dug up. Yesterday [Monday], the drain was filled to the brim and got choked. The outlet hole of our building, which is built in such a manner that water from the building premises washes away, became an entry point for that unclean water to enter our building. This immediately led to mosquito breeding and foul smell. We also had to move our vehicles,” said 75-year-old Geetaben Makwana, another resident.
Wall weakened
Additionally, the structural integrity of the compound wall of the building has been compromised as digging work has resulted in cracks. “Our building is in the funnel zone [of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport] because of which we face heavy vibrations during each take off. Now, they’ve dug up this drain, further exposing the compound wall to vibrations. After insisting for three days, today [Tuesday] morning, they’ve placed bamboos for support. What if the wall collapses?” questioned Patkar.
Though the BMC has assured residents that a footpath would be constructed after the work is completed, residents worry that the promise won’t be fulfilled, considering that footpaths have vanished after road concreting. Dinesh Pallewad, an officer of BMC’s H West war, said, “We will get the work done within the shortest time possible and ensure residents face minimum difficulty.”
