Even though the monsoon season is just round the corner road repair work is yet to be completed. Only 60 per cent of the work is finished and it is difficult to get the job done in the remaining time. BMC has issued a warning to the contractors to complete the remaining work in time or face action. The so called action will be in the form of just issuing warning or deducting a portion of the contracted amount. It is time not to release the substantial amount of guarantee money or deposit amount, so that some awareness should be there to complete the job and provide pothole free roads. Already, the roads are in bad shape which causes inconvenience to motorists. During monsoon season rain water stagnates in these craters which may spread malaria and cause mishaps. The process of cleaning the drainage system, cutting the branches of trees and de-slitting nullahs are the major work to be completed ahead of the monsoon season. After all, smooth roads will ensure free flow of traffic and that will help the road users very much during rainy season.
The drainage system needs to be cleaned and the blocks if any should be removed especially plastic bags. Choking of drainage system paves way for water stagnation on the main roads. The important work of de-silting nullahs will have to commence well in advance so that overflowing water will not enter low lying areas within the city. The health department should organise vaccination camp for residents living in the catchment area. With heat waves hitting most parts of Maharashtra the weather bureau reports heavy rains this year and we should remain well prepared to face flooding and the calamity that follows during monsoon season. First of all, we should have a disaster management committee in place to overcome the challenges in such a ticklish situation.
The civic body is lagging behind in monsoon preparations. People are dumping debris, iron rods, mud, stones, plastic bags to cause a major blockage and lead to flash floods in the low lying areas. The waste generated in tones by the construction work is causing major concern. The Civic administration has appealed to citizens to refrain from dumping of waste and prevent major block in the drainage system. If this practice is not stopped, city will witness another clogged and overflowing nullahs/rivulets during incessant rains and water logging. The preparation already made is inadequate and drastic measures will have to be taken before the onset of monsoon. It is time to go all out and ensure that all the arrangements are strictly made in accordance with guidelines to avoid July 2005 situation once again.
During monsoon season, BMC should be able to provide clean drinking water to citizens. Most of the diseases caused during this season is through the contaminated water. Due to heavy rains, drainage blocks causes water contamination as it seeps into drinking water pipes that may lead to the outbreak of diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue. Hospitals under BMC should be ready to tackle diseases spread in epidemic form during the monsoon season. They should provide sufficient beds to patients in the city and stock of life saving medicines must be made available.
Many cases of dengue deaths occurred due to lack of medical facilities and it is an eye opener for BMC to make sure that the hospital coming under their jurisdiction should be able to cater to the needs of the people in a timely manner to avoid fatal deaths. Mumbaikars want good quality roads, fresh air and potable water but they have to grapple with potholed roads. Accidents occur while driving on these roads. Disaster management team should be in place to face any calamity. People were patiently waiting for the monsoon preparedness in a big way but were disappointed to see incomplete work and the operations being carried on till the last hour.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
