Mumbai, so called ’’to be regional financial centre’’ was brought down on its knees by 3 hrs of rain in July 2005. Mumbai, which contributes more than 1/3 of the country’s tax collections, has from time immemorial been the favorite squeeze for all and sundry, in Power. Irrespective of caste or creed, the politicians across the spectrum have come, squeezed the city and left. For how long will Mumbai sustain this, is the question ? The day is not far when the city shall run dry and the same people who are squeezing it today, shall leave it like the rind in a waste paper basket.
The Finance Minister made bold remarks on the city’s makeover requirements in his budget speech, The Prime Minister took a good look at the battered city in his chopper, The Civil Aviation minister keeps talking of airport modernisation, The Chief Minister keeps dreaming of making it Shanghai, The Municipal Commissioner talks of Disaster Management Plan everytime the city is struck by a calamity, the spirit of the city makes it bounce back and DMP is conveniently forgotten. Are any of these people doing anything about what they say ?? NOTHING, JUST TALK. IT DOESN’T COST THEM ANYTHING.
BMC, probably the most corrupt institution in the world, is incapable of providing the administration that Mumbai needs. Saddled with incompetent engineers with ZERO technical knowledge of developing & maintaining Roads, Building, Pipelines, waste management facilities, Municipal Infrastructure, BMC just cannot handle the intricate problems of the city. What Mumbai needs today is an institution with sweeping powers and a fresh brain to pull back the city from the abyss that it has been pushed into by its ruling fathers.
Centre keeps saying that the grant for make over is held up because the State is not repealing ULCA. If the ’’Honourable Madam’’ can summon and make CM stop the slum demolitions, can’t she ask the CM to repeal the obsolete act ?
The city is being RAPED again and again and again. The question is for how long are we citizens going to let it happen ?