Mumbai's upscale H West ward, encompassing the vibrant neighbourhoods of Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz West, is gearing up for the civic polls with a mix of hope and frustration. Known for its active citizenry, trendy cafes, and shopping destinations, the ward is simultaneously grappling with a host of persistent civic issues that residents are eager to see resolved by their elected representatives.
Core Civic Challenges: From Traffic Chaos to Faulty Footpaths
The problems faced by residents are multifaceted and impact daily life. Unrelenting traffic congestion tops the list, with residents reporting that gridlock is a weekday norm, not just a weekend nuisance. Maria D'Souza of the Mount Mary Advanced Locality Management (ALM) group pointed out that the chaos is exacerbated by poor road discipline, haphazard parking, and the refusal of most auto-rickshaws to ply by the meter, preferring app-based fares instead.
Another critical issue is the rampant commercialisation of residential zones, particularly in 'goathans' or village pockets. Former Congress corporator Asif Zakaria highlighted that this leads to noise, disturbance, parking shortages, and wasteful spending on superficial beautification projects. The infrastructure, he added, is buckling under the strain of rapid redevelopment and perpetual road works, which also contribute to air pollution.
For pedestrians, the experience is equally dismal. Resident Lillian Pais explained that footpaths are often broken, uneven due to ill-fitting drain covers, and encroached upon by hawkers and even residential societies. Essential maintenance is lacking, with the ward office frequently not having correctly sized replacements for broken slabs.
The Call for Corporators: A Centralised Grievance Redressal
A common sentiment resonating across the ward is the anticipation for the return of municipal corporators. Residents view them as a crucial single point of contact for escalating complaints. "Corporators are the one-stop for all resident’s grievances," stated Lillian Pais, who often finds herself coordinating between different civic departments.
Maria D'Souza echoed this, emphasising the need for checks and balances. "With corporators, at least the various things that are floated for the area will have to get past them. We are very much looking forward to them," she said.
Political Landscape and Candidate Expectations
In the 2017 elections, the BJP established a stronghold here, winning three of the ward's six seats. Three former BJP corporators – Swapna Mhatre, Alka Kerkar, and Hetal Gala – are anticipated to be renominated, banking on their established connect with the electorate. Swapna Mhatre, who plans to file her nomination, addressed the simultaneous road works, stating they are condensed into non-monsoon months to pre-empt potholes and ensure quicker completion.
She identified parking and the need for more public playgrounds as key focus areas. Congress's Asif Zakaria, however, will be unable to contest as his ward is now reserved for women candidates. The party is likely to rely on former independent candidate Raja Rahebar Khan to contest from ward 102.
Residents like Pais also highlighted systemic failures in enforcement, from parking zones and road signage to garbage dumping sites. The burden of inter-departmental coordination, she lamented, ultimately falls on ordinary citizens when complaints are shuffled between wards. As the election nears, the demand for effective local governance in Mumbai's prized western suburbs has never been more pronounced.
