Suburbs dotted with broken drain covers: Residents

MUMBAI: The death of two bikers due to an open utility duct is a stark reminder of the pathetic condition of city roads and callous attitude of civic officials. Residents of the western suburbs say the civic body only gets into action after the damage is done.
On August 8, Kunal Ullalkar (21) and Jonathan Ujjainwal (23) died after they were flung off their bike after it got stuck in a crumbling utility duct cover and they hit a parked a dumper on the side of the road.Kunal’s father, Kiran Ulalkar told TOI, “I am in no condition to go to the courts and fight the case. Besides, no amount of compensation can bring back my son. I only hope the BMC repairs the cover so that nobody should have to go through the pain of losing a family member.”
Following the TOI report on the death of the two bikers, residents from across the western suburbs complained of a number of drain covers on roads and sidewalks that pose a danger to pedestrians and motorists.
Hansel D’Souza, president of the Juhu citizen’s welfare group said, “Why does the BMC begin working only after pressure from residents? In Juhu, it repaired the covers of drains after I pointed them out. The BMC must pull up its socks instead of waiting for citizens to complain.” Another resident from Juhu, Heena Marwani said, “I saw three faulty drain covers on the sidewalks near Utpal Shanghvi School. It seems the BMC will only get to work after someone is hurt. I wonder what the BMC does with its budget, all we ever hear is false promises.”
In Bandra, residents said several drain covers were shoddily installed or broken on Link road and SV road. Aftab Siddiqui, member, Linking Road Residents’ Association, said, “Contractors are hand-in-glove with officials, so no action can or will be taken.” “Several sidewalks along by-lanes in Oshiwara and Millat Nagar are dotted with crumbling drain covers that can give way without warning,” said S Devedi, an Andheri resident.