Environmentalist Debi Goenka joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on what is wrong with urban planning in Mumbai as city turns into waterworld.
Q. The citizens of Mumbai are themselves to be blamed? Many of the water logging is due to illegal encroachments, occupations, dumping of waste coupled with inefficient works done by the Corporation due to corruption. Why the citizen apathy? Asked by: leena
A. Yes. Ultimately, it is the citizens who are responsible. They elect the corporators, and they also do not want to take action against the inaction or the illegal actions of the elected representatives or the staff of the Municipal Corporation or their fellow citizens.
Q. Its not only symptomatic of Mumbai, the same story is to be seen in every nook and corner of the country, here in Hyderabad too the situation is not too rosy, how come roads which are build to last at least 10 yrs, get worn out in 8 months, till the time accountability is fixed nothing can help. Asked by: S ESHWAR
A. Yes, along with responsibility comes accountability. It is high time that the Municipal authorities put up all details of work done with all technical and financial details, as well as the names of all the officers responsible for awarding the tenders and for ensuring quality control.
Q. All the resources are at Mumbai to find a solution to manage the monsoon situation. MAHA has a IIT alumini as a CM. IIM A is not far off. Finances are definitely available. Why the political will to attend on this is missing? Asked by: Mary
A. Unfortunately, there is so much money to be made in "solving" the crisis that it is in the interests of the decision makers not to solve the problem. Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?
Q. Urban planning being left to Capable people with minimum political intervention can help. Is it possible to get such an arrangement? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. It is certainly possible if the political will is there to make it happen.
Q. Indian Railway runs the train in paths and areas owned by them exclusively. Why the slackness in improving the situation there is missing. Why they suffer recurring losses without carrying needed repair & maintenance to manage the heavy downpours? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Unfortunately, the Railways do not take the suburban network seriously. It is not a priority for them. And our commuters are not willing to stand up and complain about having to pay to be transported in conditions that are worse than cattle.
Q. Ideally avoid new real estate approvals and promote satellite cities around Mumbai suburbs? Asked by: Paresh UAE
A. Yes. Ideally, no public money should be spent on new buildings or on new infrastructure in a city that will be submerged after 30 years. Govt should be planning a new city, far from the rising oceans.
Q. The monsoons have come and same news we hear from Mumbai. This has been going for ages, I fail to think what does BMC do when they are not politicking? Asked by: Queenie
A. Counting their money? And computing future gains? Looking for good investments? Pick one. Or pick them all.
Comments
0 comment