Nationalist Congress Party leader and MP for the Mumbai Northeast constituency Sanjay Dina Patil admitted that while work is on in full flow to achieve the goals chalked out a year ago, the actual results haven’t been very promising so far.
Among the big issues that he had promised to resolve when he was elected a year ago, was the issue of water scarcity in the Mumbai Northeast constituency.
“The water shortage across the city is acute in my constituency. While some people get very little water, others get no water whatsoever,” said Mr Patil, adding, “This problem permeates from the tallest of towers to the most squalid of slums.”
However, he went on to say that water tankers were dispatched, so that water could reach all parts of the constituency.
Mr Patil said, “The major problem we deal with is that of water theft, since the water mafia is rampant here.”
Mr Patil had also ensured infrastructure development. “Due to this development there are more water and electricity-related problems for citizens,” he said and added,
“Upgrading the infrastructure is on top of my agenda, but due to problems in the system, we have not been able to achieve this goal to our satisfaction.”
Another of his promises was to get roads widened as the development around major arterial roads had resulted in massive traffic snarls. “I want to get as many flyovers built in the area and have been following up the matter with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority,” said the NCP MP, adding, “But then, these roads were handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and now, there’s a whole new set of people to follow up the matter with. But work is on to ensure that they get built at the earliest to relieve traffic problems.”
On the positive side, some of the projects that are either underway or have been completed in the Mumbai Northeast constituency include a Christian cemetery at Mulund (east), a gas-operated cemetery in Vikhroli (east), the modernisation of railway station works and a skywalk on Bhandup Station Road. In addition, connectivity of the new railway bridge to link the eastern and western parts of Bhandup is a major project for Mr Patil. One of the more ambitious plans that is currently underway is the proposal to develop a city of education and sports on saltpan land in the Bhandup-Mulund-Kanjurmarg (east) areas. Meanwhile, work such as sewerage lines work, paver-block laying, installation of sheds, construction of balwadis, laying of water lines, the provision of a water-filling station and the setup up of a general hospital in Bhandup is being done in the constituency.
“A major area of concern for us is the upcoming dumping ground in the Kanjurmarg area, which will pose major problems to citizens. However, we have been told that state-of-the-art technology will be employed to ensure that the dumping ground doesn’t affect locals. So we shall wait and watch,” said Mr Patil.
“We are trying our best and working around the system of bureaucracy to resolve these issues. Obviously, we’re not done yet and there’s a long way to go, but we will get there in time,” he said, adding, “As one can see from the hoardings in my constituency, my cellphone number is put up on all of them and citizens can either contact me on that or my office number. My cellphone is available 24 hours of the day.”
Citizens can relay their concerns, suggestions, opinions or criticism to Mr Patil on 98200 96350 or on his office line 32912533.