Housing a population of around 20,000, a prevailing landlord-tenant system, farmers, fields and greenery; 20 years back Dombivli was called `mini-Pune' and the name stuck. Innumerable illegal constructions, people and rickshaws battling to negotiate roads overcrowded with hawkers and illegal shops. Almost two decades later, it is not surprising that Dombivli retains nothing of its former self, and the four lakh residents of Dombivli (W) don't remember the term - `mini-Pune'.Dombivli (W), agree residents and corporators alike, does not face any severe civic problems. It has its fair share of hawkers problem, frequent electricity failures and water shortage, but what does affect Dombivli, is a deep-set middle-class complacency which has turned people indifferent to most issues. "Gone are the times when people would come and demand the corporators to take relevant action. We are here, but where are the people?" asks Anil Bhade, corporator. Whereas people have tired of trying. "Who has the time after spendingfour hours commuting and slogging for eight hours in the office to fight with the system?" asks Smita Kurup."There is an increase in crime rate," says Suresh Shinde, Sr Police Inspector, Vishnunagar. "It's basically due to crowding, unemployment and television." Making do with 40 policemen when he needs 60, Shinde feels that their job is done easier as people here are very cooperative.Unlike east, this side of town has less of congestion and air pollution, and lesser traffic jams. An additional railway platform, a new footover bridge connecting Dombivli west to east and the widening of roads are some of the recent improvements. Also, plans are on to make a picnic spot and restructure a hall for cultural activity. A 25,000-square-foot green stretch with a natural pond near Reti Bunder has been earmarked for it, reveals corporator Waman Mhatre. "Rs 8 crore has been allotted by the Centre, so the civic body won't have to shell out anything from its own pocket," he says. Twenty minutes from the station,and connected to Dindayal Road and Ghanshyam Gupte Road, the place already acts as a Joggers Park for 50-odd people.Places like the Mahatma Phule Library, which is free for all, remains unused. All you see is a group of senior citizens reading papers after having walked up three floors to the library, passing an extremely unkempt toilet. While an area of around 1,500 square feet in Bhave Sanskriti Kendra is being used by the officers of the H-ward, reveals Anil Bhade, corporator. Plans are on to utilise it culturally. Besides these, there are a few other civic issues that ails the town.Dangerous structures: Sixty-nine structures have been marked dangerous, including areas like Juni Dombivli and Navapada, and the tenants have been issued notices. But people refuse to move out. "There are certain buildings where there is no approach route to provide relief if something untoward happened," says Dole.Station Road: Autorickshaws are what you see, dodge and evade as soon as you step out of the station. Allthe roads leading towards Anand Nagar, Juni Dombivli and Navapada are blocked by haphazardly parked rickshaws. Despite two stands, there is no place for people to walk through. Adding to the problems are the vendors lining both sides of the road, who refuse to move out till they are given a proper zone. Says Ward Officer Dole, "We will start a drive where a team of 20 officers with two policemen will work towards moving the hawkers out of this area."Electricity failures: Electricity failures has become a regular feature. "There is no electricity for hours everyday, and the MSEB doesn't even bother to give prior information. Operations get cancelled, and we end up putting our patients lives in danger," says Dr Negalur, cardiac specialist of Prathamesh Hospital. Activites like storing water in overhead tanks in buildings also gets affected. "Attempts to build a sub-station to reduce the overloading, was thwarted by some locals," says Anil Bhade.Fish Market: The only fish-meat market, rightacross the station, is exactly that a fish market. Nothing has changed here in the last 40 years. Poor sanitation, broken flooring with pools of blood and fins, and 72 people selling their stock. "The stink is enough to turn people into vegetarians," says Jalaja, a housewife.
