Pali Hill’s residents make an ‘agreement’ for a better future ……Nasser Lalljee
In order to protect the beauty of their quiet roads and sylvan green surroundings, the residents of Pali Hill have come up with some constructive steps. The Pali Hill Residents’ Association has taken the initiative, to ensure that the authorities are paying attention to the residents’ needs and working together with them, to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the area and to keep the roads free of potholes.
“We do not want various utility-providers, to come and dig up the roads repeatedly and create a mess, like in the rest of Mumbai,” states Madhu Poplai, secretary of the Pali Hill Residents’ Association. “So, we entered into an agreement with the BMC’s ‘H west’ ward on January 14, 1999, by virtue of which the beautification of Pali Hill area shall rest with the residents of the area. In return, we have to effectively implement the segregation of wet and dry garbage,” she explains.
The association (which was formed in 1986), with the support from their MLA, Baba Siddique and the BMC, made a request to all the utility providers. Their request was simple – if any digging was to take place in the concerned area, it should be done prior to the resurfacing of the roads. Amitav Shukla, chairperson of the association adds that the association was firm on the stance that hawkers, stalls, or pavement dwellers would not be allowed into the area. “If there are any, then, the association can drive them away with the help of the BMC and the police. The whole agreement is on stamp paper, signed by the association, as well as the BMC,” he explains.
Poplai adds: “If any one wants to dig, for whatever reason, they have to obtain the BMC’s permission. Then, we will enter into an agreement with the concerned party and as per the terms discussed, we will take a refundable deposit. This will be used by the association to complete the work, in case the concerned party does not fulfil its contractual liability. Over the past nine years, all works have been carried out and completed, to the absolute satisfaction of the society.”
The association has also employed 11 security guards, round the clock. “They make sure that no taxis or rickshaws are badly parked. They also keep a check on loud music being played in the cars that are cruising around and on rash driving. This has already ensured that the area is much safer. Besides these security personnel, each society has their own security guards,” she elaborates.
As a result of the agreement, the BMC insists on a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the association, before allowing any digging work on the roads, in Pali Hill. This itself is a big achievement and it demonstrates that all parties concerned can come together, to work towards the interests of everyone, maintains Poplai. “Ours is the only association that has an agreement with the BMC,” she says. A few months ago, several ALMs got together, to force the transfer of BMC officials and staff, using RTI as a weapon. These officials had not been transferred for the past 15 years. Today, ALMs in Juhu have also taken up the issue of the absence of transfers, in the Andheri west ward office. The Pali Hill Residents’ Association has managed to set an example, for citizens to get together, to implement the rule of the law.
* Madhu Poplai, secretary of the association, inspects flower beds that have been created to beautify the entire stretch of the road. Residents, who own pets, also contribute towards keeping the area clean