Mumbaineeds8230;

I have grow up with Mumbai. Initially, in my childhood, it was greenery all around me. We had a lot of space to play around, and going from one place to another was also not difficult. Later, even when I built my bungalow, sea was not far behind. I breathed fresh air. I could hear the roar of the sea. Today, there are hardly any trees around. Mumbai has become a concrete jungle. So many buildings have sprung up all around my home, making the place congested. Instead of sound of the waves we hear the noise of cars and loud-speakers blaring music. There is no tranquillity. You can8217;t breathe fresh air because there is so much pollution. You can8217;t move about freely because of heavy traffic. There are so many bottlenecks causing traffic jams when I travel to the office of Central Board of Film Certification at Walkeshwar. Sometimes it takes me two hours to go to South Mumbai. The beaches which used to be clean have now become dirty and stink.I don8217;t know whom to blame. Are we to be blamed for the mess? Or shouldwe blame the authorities who put up Green Mumbai and Clean Mumbai8217; hoardings on one hand but, on the other hand, prefer to neglect the factors that cause pollution, traffic jams, deforestation and dirty beaches? The civic authorities will have to work hard, be honest, sincere and dedicated to beautify the metropolis. They will have to plant more trees for better environment. Widen the roads so that there is a less congestion. The authorities also need to provide clean and enough water which is in short supply in many parts of the city. If there is more awareness on their part Mumbaikars will definitely cooperate, though there is lack of civic sense on our part also. Let the state and people join hands to make Mumbai a beautiful city to live. That is the need of the hour.

8212; As told to M S M DesaI