Testing patience, the NMMC way

Testing patience, the NMMC way
Anyone wanting a lesson in how to test people's patience, can take a cue from NMMC. For many years residents of sectors-16 and 16A were demanding that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation should provide them space for a gymnasium, library and a community centre. In the year 2004 when the proposal was mooted by the Corporation, it brought a sigh of relief for residents, especially the youth who were waiting for the gym and the library to open at the earliest. But six years later, they are still waiting…
RTI activist Ajay Walunj recalls, "On February 16, 2004 the work for constructing a multipurpose building consisting of a gymnasium, a library and a community centre was started. The work was to be completed within eight months at the cost of Rs. 41.36 lakh. Unfortunately, even after a gap of four years we found that the work was still going on. This is what made the residents find about its status in 2008. To our shock we found that 20 per cent of the work was pending and it will be ready by March 15, 2009".
"As the work progressed at snail's pace, we found that the under-construction building was being used by anti-social elements. This prompted us to approach the ward officer and he assured us that it will be opened very soon," recalls social worker Vijay Walunj.
However, the twist in the tale came after the inauguration of the building in early 2010. "Till date neither any equipment has been brought for the gym nor any books for library shelves. On the contrary, residents are compelled to take care of the building in the absence of any securitymen," complains Walunj.
When contacted, the concern authority was found busy in election duty and hence unavailable for comments.

As the work progressed at snail's pace, we found that the under-construction building was being used by anti-social elements. This prompted us to approach the ward officer and he assured us that it will be opened very soon,

—Jaspal Singh Naol