Residents of Marine Drive's D Road have raised concerns over what they describe as traffic congestion, illegal parking, crowd management, and cleanliness issues during the ongoing T20 matches at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Residents Appeal for Intervention
In a letter addressed to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the Marine Drive Residents Association has appealed for urgent intervention to address these issues. The residents' body stated that while they take pride in being neighbors to one of India's most celebrated cricketing venues, traffic and other problems during matches have disrupted daily life, particularly for senior citizens living along D Road.
Specific Requests
The association has requested the MCA to coordinate with the Mumbai police and traffic authorities to ensure dedicated deployment on D Road throughout the tournament. It has also sought stricter action against illegal parking, arrangements to maintain cleanliness on match days, and advance communication regarding match schedules and special events that may impact the locality.
MCA President Responds
When contacted, Ajinkya Naik, president of MCA, said, "We are strictly adhering to all government rules, regulations, and prescribed precautionary measures to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the tournament. The league has consistently served as a platform for identifying and nurturing talent, producing Indian cricketers such as Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and several others who have gone on to represent the country. We are equally proud that this year, three women players associated with the league have earned the opportunity to represent India, further showcasing the league's significant contribution to the growth of both men's and women's cricket."
About the Author
Richa Pinto is a special correspondent with The Times of India. She covers urban governance and climate change issues. With over a decade of experience in field reporting, she has written extensively on various civic issues affecting Mumbaikars. She graduated in journalism from the prestigious Mumbai-based St Xavier's College and later pursued a three-year Law degree (LL.B.) with the University of Mumbai. She regularly tweets about all things that matter to Mumbai.
