Densely populated Kandivli is bustling, even as it becomes the address for thousands of people looking for decent, affordable housing in the suburbs. It’s also getting on the hip wagon, with youths beginning to hang out at township malls and multiplexes.
But as residential houses keep multiplying, so do the problems. Roads are getting congested, there is a lack of proper transport, the municipality is not coughing up occupation certificates fast enough and water remains a perennial woe. Add to this the flooding during the monsoons and civic authorities should have their hands full trying to solve this suburb’s problems. The R-South ward (Kandivli East & West) reported a large number of deaths after the 26/7 deluge.
Even a regular shower can make life difficult in Hanuman Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Ram Nagar, Sunder Nagar, Sai Nagar, Laljipada, Santosh Nagar, Iraniwadi, Ekta Nagar, Babrekar Nagar or Mahavir Nagar.
The ward has a large number of low-lying areas, like Poisar Nullah, Dahanukar Wadi, Charkop Sectors 1 and 2, Bunderpakhadi and Ram Nagar. Residents say that the BMC has been turning a blind eye to flooding. “Thakur Village gets flooded every monsoon, but the BMC says there is no solution,’’ complains J D Choudhari, who runs a grocery shop there.
Kandivli has seen the birth of several townships—localities that offer homes to the middle class. It was in the 1990s that Thakur Complex came up in Kandivali (East). It was touted as a city within a city, complete with educational institutes, hospitals and markets. Then came Thakur Village, which has become a hangout for the young thanks to the malls and multiplexes. “Thakur Village is a good hangout. We don’t need to go
to Bandra or the city for entertainment,’’ says Shreya Vyas, a student and resident of Thakur Village. The coming up of the Lokhandwala township in Kandivli (East) added to the premium of property in the area. The occupants of most homes there are well-heeled businessmen and members of the television fraternity.
However, as is the case for most areas in Mumbai, infrastructure has not kept pace with development. More roads are sorely needed and existing ones need improvement.
Even sanctioned projects have dragged on endlessly. The Kilachand Road flyover has been under construction by the BMC bridges department for six to seven years due to issues that arose with Western Railway. While construction has restarted, the flyover has also become home to encroaching slums. The completed flyover would wean away congestion from Thakur Complex, a major bottleneck. Right now, crossing from Kandivli East to West can be done only by going to Borivli. Also delayed is the widening of several roads. “More buildings are coming up, but infrastructure is poor. Not only are roads bad, there is not enough transport, like BEST buses,’’ says Praful Joshi of Mahavir Nagar.
As homes come up overnight, residents face water woes. “Most buildings do not have occupation certificates, so getting water is a problem. People use tanker water,’’ says Kiran Shirke of New Mahavir Nagar.
WHAT PEOPLE WANT
Quick completion of the Kilachand Road flyover, so people can cross from Kandivli East to West easily and bottlenecks are reduced
A plan to eliminate monsoon flooding. R-South reported a large number of casualties after the 26/7 deluge
Better roads as also the quick widening of several major roads, including S V Road, Shantilal Modi Road, Dalvi Road and Narayan Joshi Road
Occupation certificates for buildings, so residents can get BMC water. In fact, residents say that water should be assured to buildings when the permission for new constructions is given
DEVELOPMENT ON A SLOW ROAD: Encroachers live on the incomplete Kilachand Road flyover, which has been under construction for six to seven years. The flyover would connect Kandivli East and West and reduce traffic congestion. (Top left) Flooding during the 2006 monsoon
J D Choudhari GROCERY SHOP OWNER, THAKUR VILLAGE ‘During the monsoon it is impossible to live here. The entire area gets ‘submerged under water. It is sad that the BMC is not finding a solution to the problem.
Maharana Dhakad SHOPOWNER NEAR KANDIVLI STATION ‘The BMC people are only interested in encouraging hawkers, as that is where they get their money. A week ago, I had to ‘pay a fine of Rs 1,200 for displaying clothes on sale outside my shop. They said it is not allowed. When hawkers do business o come and go away with their money.
Dimple Saxena TEACHER, LOKHANDWALA TOWNSHIP ‘The distance between our township and Kandivali station is barely 2 kilometres, but during peak hours it takes 15 to 20 minutes to travel that distance. We also had flooding. Let’s see, this year we got some new roads.