Bovine beasts block Khar roads

Another member Anandhini Thakoor said,“The cows rented to temples are milked on roads and let loose.”

Locals said the Gawli brothers on 4th Road,who own the cows,have been running milk business for decades. They said the brothers claim to be relatives of gangster-politician Arun Gawli.

“We have written many letters to police and the civic administration but there is no action. Before authorities come to check the cows are hidden behind Khar railway station,” claimed a resident.

H West corporator Alka Kerkar said,“The deputy municipal commissioner has ordered removal of the cowshed. I hope it will be done within a fortnight.”

Rain brings building material trouble

The torrential rain of the past few days has flown construction material to the roadsides waterlogging major parts of Santacruz.

Resident Saumya Brajmohan (23) said roads outside Santacruz station were blocked and there were frequent traffic snarls.

“I have a lot of trouble reaching my office in Kalina village as the area is flooded,” she said.

H East Ward corporator Brayan Miranda acknowledged receiving complaints of waterlogging.

“Roadsides in Parkway Society and Shri Krishna Nagar have construction material deposits. This increases waterlogging.

“With heavy rain and high tides,water problems are inevitable. As soon as the level of Mithi river rises,we face issues.”

Virar Lake rise has swelled the Mithi,which originates in Powai and joins Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek after flowing through Kalina,Santacruz.

The area received 142.2 mm of rain Tuesday.

Concern piles up near Mulund dump

Residents of Hari Om Nagar in Mulund have no choice but to live with the nauseating stench emanating from the dump nearby.

They say the problem gets worse in monsoon as the waste decomposes faster and the stench travels farther. “I have been receiving a lot of complaints about the stench and have visited the area several times. We got the dumping ground sprayed with disinfectant twice but that did not help,” said local corporator Nandkumar Vaity,adding that the dump reached its capacity in 2006 but people continue to deposite waste at the ground.

“The people say they have no choice as the Kanjurmarg dump is yet to become operational.”

Meena Patil,who stays in the adjoining Ashok Nagar,said,“Commuting to work has become a headache.”

Close,repair manholes

Incessant rain has flooded open manholes in Kalbadevi,causing traffic jams. Residents said despite several complaints BMC and ward officials were unmoved.

“In our meetings with civic officials we have been voicing this issue repeatedly but the officials have not acted,” said Vivek Salgaonkar.

“The manholes are very old and need repair,” said the Null Bazar,Bhuleshwar,resident.

Civic officials have also failed to respond to several letters written by traffic police.

An official said the delay in response was due to overload of work.

Local corporator Vina Jain said: “Many manholes have to be kept open for cleaning. Red tape is delaying repair of manholes.”

Schools become reason to skip it

Municipal schools in Kurla are in a pathetic state. They lack sanitation facilities,benches,and the classrooms are crowded.

Local corporator Mohd Issaque Kasim Ali Shaikh said BMC was turning a blind eye to problems of students.

“Schools in Kurla need urgent repairs. Students have to sit on the floor in the absence of benches. In many schools,there are not enough classrooms to accomodate the high number of students,” he said.

Shaikh,who has written to the education committee seeking action,said,“Civic schools are used for non-educational purposes. Due to this,students suffer.

“Before these structures crumble or students start dropping out due to lack of facilities,we need to change policy.”