Trees axed in the name of trimming

Trees axed in the name of trimming
It may take years for a plant to grow into a tree but cutting it down takes just a few minutes. One such incident of 'merciless killing' of trees occurred on the footpath in front of Radhika Society, Plot -31, Sector 17, Vashi. A spokesperson of the society informs, "There were six huge Ashoka trees on the footpath in front of our building. These trees had reached up to the height of fourth floor and their branches had started entering our houses. We were scared that they might fall down in a storm. Hence there was an urgent need for trimming them. On our request the local corporator sent a team to do the task".
While the reason proffered by society spokesman is completely valid, but trimming certainly does not mean axing them, argue nature lovers.
Each year the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation spends lakhs of rupees to save trees but in the name of trimming and development a number of trees get axed. When contacted, senior assistant garden officer Bhalchandra Gavli expressed surprise over the matter and visited the spot. After checking out himself, he said, "This work was not done by our department team. Our workers are well trained and very well know how a tree should be trimmed". He said that action would be taken against the culprits. Through Cityplus Gavli has urged residents to contact Ward Office instead of calling any private party which does not think twice before axing trees for a little money.
Sources reveal that the workers who had axed the trees were in the blue colour uniform of NMMC which is worn by Conservancy workers. These workers undertake such works illegally to make petty cash.

Better use public transport than risk your vehicle on potholed roads

Better use public transport than risk your vehicle on potholed roads
Better use public transport than see your personal vehicle breaking down every other day on potholed roads of city'. Motorists of Vashi are doling out this sound advice to each other as goodwill gesture.
Touted as the 'city of 21st century' Navi Mumbai has transformed into a city of potholes. Sandeep Pawar, resident of Sector-1 Vashi informs, "If you ride from Shivaji Chowk to Turbhe Naka, you will have to do quite a bit of zig-zag driving to avoid the countless potholes on the road. Not only will your ride be bumpy but your vehicle will also get damaged. Since it is rainy season, most of the time potholes are filled with water and hence become invisible to road users. Two-wheeler drivers especially fall prey to them and risk their lives or limbs".
Avinash Sharma, a resident of Sector-2 Koper Khairane added, "It's high time that one learns to move around the city without own vehicle because you never know where you will fall down".
Navin Gaikwad, resident of Jyoti Apartments in Sector-3, Koper Khairane says, "Right from Sector-3 bus stop to our society the whole stretch is riddled with potholes. Most of us have stopped using our motorcycles as they were getting damaged and every other day had to be taken to the mechanic".

Mighty elephants begging on roads as buck passes around

Mighty elephants begging on roads as buck passes around
The mighty elephant has been put to begging on the roads of Navi Mumbai. Under the command of their mahouts the giant-size animals have been employed for earning a few paltry bucks.
Rajan Iyer, a resident of JN 4 Type, Sector 10 Vashi says, "I think there are four elephants which are seen roaming on the streets of Vashi. They are usually brought in at crowded places like market, bus stop etc. Either out of fear or concern, people give in generously but if they don't the elephants are commandeered to put their trunk inside vehicles and scare occupants into paying".
Rajan says a bigger problem than that is of controlling the animal in case it goes wild. "No one knows when these giant animals will lose their self-control and go wild. In such a case, even the mahout cannot control the animal. Moreover, police personnel are also not trained to deal with such exigencies".
Another resident V N Ahire adds, "As per law no animals are allowed in urban areas.Therefore, municipal authorities can take action against the mahouts. Why should people, who make animals meant for jungles walk on roads the whole day, not be penalized? "
"When I approached the local policemen to complain against the mahouts he said, 'Sahab woh upar betha hai, hum kya kar sakte hai?' (Sir, he is sitting up there, what can we do?)," says T Ganpathy, a resident.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation veterinary officer Vaibhav Zunzare informs, "As elephant is a wild animal it is for the Forest department to take action and so we have sent a letter to the concern authority".
Assistant Conservator of Forests VP Patil says, "Yes, I am aware of the fact and have also seen a couple of elephants. We can take the action only if the mahout does not have any ownership certificate and permission to bring elephant to Navi Mumbai. Otherwise we are helpless. It is for the police to take action under the Animal Cruelty Act".
When contacted Vashi senior police inspector Raosaheb Sardesai said, "It is the responsibility of Traffic Police". On being told of Forest Conservator's view on the matter, he said tersely, "Ok, we will look into the matter".
Reliable sources inform that just a week back a joint meeting of the Forest Department and Police authorities was held and in the meeting it was clearly announced that police have full power to take action under Animal Cruelty Act and the Forest department will provide its support.
—Jaspal Singh Naol

Water logging below underpass

Water logging below underpass
For the residents of Sector-6, 7 and 8 waterlogging has become a ceaseless pain. Inderjeet Singh, resident of Sector 6 informs, "There are more than 2000 bungalows in Sectors 6, 7 and 8. Almost all of their occupants have their own vehicles. As the area is near Sion-Panvel highway it is linked with an underpass for the vehicles and residents to cross the road. The residents here mostly go to Mumbai or in and around Navi Mumbai for work on daily basis. Krishna Pandit, a local social worker says, "To the dismay of residents this underpass remains filled with water all through the whole year. During monsoon its condition turns worse and pedestrians as well as two-wheeler drivers virtually get submerged in water".
Anand Malinge, another social worker says, "For years we have been following up the matter with NMMC but in vain. Flood-like situation in the underpass chokes vehicles and sometimes one is not able to reach one's destination if the vehicle breaks down. Pedestrians are forced to take the busy highway and risk their lives".
Residents urge NMMC to install a suction pump to remove rain water on a daily basis during monsoon.

e-governance system to be introduced in NMMC

e-governance system to be introduced in NMMC
To bring transparency in the working of NMMC, e-governance system is being introduced. The step is being taken as it is mandatory for receiving funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
G V Rao, Executive Engineer (Electrical) NMMC informs, "The e-governance system will link all offices and departments of the corporation with each other. This will ensure easier and faster process of work which is mostly dependent on the time it takes for one document to reach from one department to another. Moreover, access to old documents would be enabled in a single click".
"Similarly we have been practising MIS system in our organization but it is not up to the mark. e-governance will remove the lacunae in MIS system. This will help in proper development of the city," informs Rao.
He further adds, "We plan to install 100 information and utility kiosks for the benefit of residents. These kiosks will be open 24 x 7 for people to not only access to services of the corporation but they will also be able to check their mails, pay water, property tax, cess, electricity bills etc. This will not only save time but they will also have the option of paying dues as per their convenience".
It is expected that within a year all the departments and offices will be connected under e-governance.
Observers say this is one of the best steps taken by the corporation as it will help end the manipulation done by the contractor while submitting their bills. The accounts department staff will be able to cross- check them and pay accordingly.

NMMT-run school bus service faces axe

NMMT-run school bus service faces axe Following a spate of accidents of private school buses, the transport committee of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) had passed a resolution for extending its bus service for ferrying students. The resolution was allowed by general body and standing committee of NMMC. Parents whole-heartedly welcomed the move as they did not want to risk the lives of their children. Morever, Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) bus service cost works out to be cheaper than private transport. NMMT general manager Jitendra Papalkar informed that four buses have been dedicated for the purpose of school bus service. Two of them cater to NMMC-run school for physically and mentally challenged children in Rabale. Students from all over Navi Mumbai come here. The other two run from Konkan Railway Society in Seawood and Kharghar to Panvel-based ONGC School. More than 200 students are being benefited. As per law a school bus must be of yellow colour, have a display board saying 'School Bus', a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and most importantly a huge door at rear side for emergency exit. No doubt, the NMMT buses have display boards but lack first aid boxes and fire extinguishers. The provision of a large rear door is also lacking. Just three weeks back an NMMT-run school bus met with an accident and this prompted RTO to question the service. Navi Mumbai Dy RTO ordered NMMT to stop the service until all norms were complied with. Hence the service will be withdrawn from August 1. An observer says, "Recently NMMT has bought many new buses which have first-aid kit as well as fire extinguishers and large rear doors. These buses can be deployed for school ferry service. But none of the transport committee members or administrative officers has thought of it". "Instead, the buses deployed for school duty are those which are going to be declared as scrap within a couple of years. Such an act of NMMT has really hurt hundreds of parents," he adds. —Jaspal Singh Naol

Uniform ticket system for buses on the anvil

Uniform ticket system for buses on the anvil
In Navi Mumbai there are four transport undertakings running their buses in and around Navi Mumbai. The major ones are NMMT, BEST, ST and KDMT. But the fares one pays to travel in the buses of each service provider on the same route vary. If one compares the minimum ticket price NMMT charges are Rs 5, BEST Rs 3 while ST charges Rs 4. KDMT has very few buses and limited service. Commuters of Navi Mumbai who mostly move in NMMT buses are paying the highest to travel inside Navi Mumbai area as compared to Mumbaikars where the BEST provides service at the least cost.
To end fare difference and also end internal competition between the undertakings, The Urban Development Ministry is coming up with the policy to ensure that the commuters get quality service.
NMMT general manager Jitendra Papalkar informed "In the month of December 2009, the Chief Secretary of Ministry of Urban Development had organized a joint meeting of all transport service providers in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The meet was organized to formulate a policy to bring in uniform ticket fares to provide commuters seamless travel facility in MMR area. For the same the each transport undertaking will have to appoint a technical consultant. We hope that all goes well by the beginning of 2011, commuters will be able to enjoy uniform ticket system and seamless travel facility".
—Jaspal Singh Naol