BMC spends crores for unwarranted projects but cannot cover the dead!

Our publication was the first to raise the issue against the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation's (MSRDC) plans to allot space beneath the Vakola flyover on the Western Express highway to marble merchants. A few of these shops had already come up at the southern end of the flyover. We had suggested that the space underneath the flyover should be beautified or used for taxi- auto rickshaw stands or car parks. Besides, the space should be used for the benefit of citizens and not just used for commercial purposes to earn revenue. Due to our persuasion the contractor lost the court battle and BMC were given orders to evacuate the marble owners who had set up their godown.
Now, with slums mushrooming all over the city, the space under the flyovers are used for slum squattering. During the past few years the Vakola flyover has turned into a shelter for beggars. These squatter families live under the flyovers and beg at traffic signals. It is high time BMC and MSRDC evict the squatters and the space should be given to corporates for beautification.
An NGO while speaking to Santacruz Patrika said that they have been complaining to the MSRDC regarding encroachment of the space below the Vakola flyover. Another activist complained, "These squatters cook their food and even dry their clothes on the fences under the flyover. On a couple of occasions, I even told them to leave the place." He added that the authorities should hire security guards to protect the space under the flyovers.
The MSRDC is facing losses of nearly Rs 1,500 crore. It built several flyovers in Mumbai from 1995 onwards. Toll collected in Mumbai has made up for investments into flyovers, but rural infrastructure
projects need to be cross-subsidised. Commercial exploitation will halt encroachment by slums. Also, since inception some space of Vakola flyover was being abused by beggars, slum dwellers and urchins. R C Sinha, who headed the MSRDC after its inception, had first thought of beautifying areas under flyovers. "But the plan met with a lukewarm response. Flyovers in prime areas got sponsors, while the ones along highways were left untouched,'' said an official.
Later, the MSRDC came up with a plan for pay-and-park bays under flyovers. This was a lucrative proposition, but it spoiled the aesthetics of areas. Currently, the land under the Vakola flyover is being commercially exploited through a pay-and-park scheme. Instead it is used for illegal activities. It is alleged that space is given to parties which violates the norms of the contractual agreement. Today, the flyover is used mainly by vagabonds, drug peddlers, beggars, slum dwellers and all illegal activities.
A few days ago when this correspondent visited V.N.Desai Hospital it was noticed that in a short period of 10 hours around five dead bodies were brought to the V.N.Desai mortuary. It was a sad picture to notice that the bodies of vagabonds were lying unattended at the hospital for hours. Secondly, there was no white cloth available at the hospital for covering these dead bodies. While speaking to the head of the mortuary he confirmed, “Since the Vakola flyover is used by vagabonds and urchins we have been flooded with dead bodies. Since these urchins live in malnutrition and sleep under the flyover in chilly conditions the death cases are on rise.”

Similarly, while clarifying with a constable at V.N.Desai Hospital he too agreed and said, “The condition of the hospital is pathetic. In fact our police have to bear the expenses of providing cloth to cover these dead bodies. Also, to clear the formalities before disposing these bodies our staff has to shell out monies from our pocket.
If that be the case what are the BMC authorities doing to provide medical assistance to the poor and needy patients? BMC spends crores on unwarranted projects, but is dismal to hear that they cannot spend a few rupees to provide a cover for the dead.