
Rebuilding Mumbai
Posted by Gul Panag on May 3rd, 2010This was carried by the Indian Express as a supplement titled ‘Rebuilding Mumbai’, on Page 3 on Saturday, May 1. The purpose of the supplement was to print ‘Ideas to boost the revival of India’s financial and entertainment nerve centre’
Cities as we know them now are successors to erstwhile trading posts or industrial hubs that came into existence following the industrial revolution and subsequent trend of urbanisation. People thronged to the cities for the infrastructure they offered. So what is infrastructure??
The origin of the term infrastructure, can be traced to betwen 1925-30 and it typically encompasses technical structures like roads, watersupply, sewers,power, telecommunications, schools, hospitals,etc. In simple words it is the machinery which supports the trade, livelihood and lifestyle in society. Since a large number of citizens pay(municipal) taxes we expect this machinery to be well oiled.
Even though the modern city of Mumbai is heavily dependent on ‘Bombay Age’ infrastructure it has a lot going for it . Uninterrupted power for starters. An exemplary bus network. A pioneering network of skywalks.Even though the local train network is bursting at it seams, one cannot take away it’s efficiency. Cabs and autos that actually run on a meter. (Having lived in Delhi , I know only too well the horrors of the former.)An efficient police force that has resulted in one of the lowest crime rates in the country.
Unfortunately this is clearly not enough. Not enough to support the population of this city. Not enough if we want it to be a world class city.
For the amount of revenue the administration generates from municipal, property and road taxes alone, the facilities provided are clearly imbalanced and inadequate when compared to other mega cities like London and New York. Ironically, our property rates( and thus the taxes) are amongst the highest. Clearly the BMC cannot hide behind a veil of excuses when cities like Delhi and Hyderabad are progressing rapidly taking into account future growth, despite facing similar issues like mass migration and high population. Every mega city in the world attracts migrants in huge numbers.
So what is the solution? The BMC needs to be accountable to the public. There needs to be complete transparency in their annual revenue and expenditure incured. Innovative projects like the Skywalk are a good start. Much needs to be done in the realm of cleanliness and sanitation. Public toilets are a basic necessity.
Longterm and short term roadwork projects have to be planned taking into account the future growth of the city. The Bandra-Worli-Haji Ali-Nariman Point seal link is a must. By augmenting connectivity from far off suburbs like Navi Mumbai and Dahisar to Central Mumbai infrastructure load can be reduced. A mass transportation network connecting the new secondary airport should be planned and implemented well advance.
A lot needs to be done to control pollution, to promote solar energy and rainwater harvesting and promote a cleaner healthier enviroment.
Nothing however is possbile till we demand accountability and elect the right representatives. And how do we do that? By making an effort to check the credentials and past record of those seeking to be elected would be helpful. Lastly, we need to make an individual effort at promoting better civic sense to instill a sense of pride in our city.
Gul Panag




May 3rd, 2010 at 6:26 am
Well written and thought of article, just that it got pasted twice
never mind happens to best of us. copy paste is such a luxury.
All this requires a Change, and it is but natural of human to resist change.
Electing right representative? Well I guess we cannot do much if choice is limited, do we elect the lesser devil?
or do we propose an amendment and have a minimum qualification for standing in elction? but again will qualification be enough? can we trust that one who are qualified will not be corrupt?
Why not we question MPs who in one elction show their earning/revenue in 1000s and once they are elected in the next election they become crorepatis? why dont we question them on how did they get all this money from? why does not IT raid them? when their official source of earning is just the MP salary?
Guess how much India is spending on keeping the sole surviving 26/11 Pakistani terrorist alive and healthy in prison? Over Rs 30 crore and counting. A tax payers money is going to keep alive who took thousand lives just so that we can prove the world that India is a “just” country.
My heart pours out to many who sleep hungry just outside the arthur jail where we are spending crores on a terrorist.
A lot of change is required. Some one has to come and speak.
Instead of talking day and night about Lalit Modi, IPL , Sania-Shoaib wedding we should do something.
It is time to act. not just speak.
sadly I am a culprit to.. just talks and no act
I guess have wrote enough, dont even know if u are going to read it, let alone expect a reply.
Nice article though, valid points.
Regards
Sharad
Note: By the time I am posting this , the article is only appearing once