Not for rhyme, but for a reason
A mechanical engineer sends a poem to BMCchief Jairaj Phatak…….Ashutosh Shukla
A mechanical engineer sends a poem to BMCchief Jairaj Phatak…….Ashutosh Shukla
Nikhil Desai may not be a famous poet like John Keats or William Wordsworth, but this 55-year-old found an innovative way to get the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) attention.
The mechanical engineer, on Lok Shahi Diwas on May 5, presented the municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak with a poem highlighting the deplorable condition of his area. In his poem, Desai also took a dig at the ISO certification his ward, Matunga-King Circle (F-North), has achieved.
“I have been complaining to the BMC since several days asking them to remove the silt dumped on the road as well clean the footpaths in our area. Also, few overgrown trees need to be cut before the onset of the rains. However, when no action was taken, I decided to get their attention in a more innovative manner,” said Desai.
Interestingly, the municipal commissioner immediately directed his section heads to take care of the complaints listed in the poem. “The silt was removed the very next day and the roads were also cleaned. I am grateful to the commissioner for such prompt action,” boasted Desai.
Although immediate action was taken against most of his complaints, Desai’s request for cutting the three trees on the footpath by K R Mahajani Road in King Circle have hit a roadblock.
“The trees have grown in such a way that pedestrians are forced to walk on the road. However, in response to my complaint, the tree authorities sent me a letter saying that they have granted the permission for cutting the trees but I will have to spend from my own pocket to get the work done,” said Desai.
“All the trees are over 20 feet high and cutting them would require care as they lean inside the premises of VJTI college. The tree authorities should be doing this job not me.”
When contacted superintendent of garden VS Dande told DNA, “I am not aware of the problem. However, I will look into the matter.”
Municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak was not available for comment.