Mumbaikars may have to wait until March 2013 for a seamless commute on the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR), given recent indications that work on the project may overshoot its present December 2012 deadline.

Excerpt from DNA, reported by Dhaval Kulkarni on Friday, Feb 17: Read Full Article

Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR)

A senior official from the MumbaiMetropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is carrying out the SCLR project, said the delay was likely to occur due to bottlenecks, such as the setting up of a 1.2-kilometre-long double-decker bridge, which would start from Kurla Dairy and extend to Kurlastation and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at Kurla, crossing the Central Railway and Harbour lines.

Work on the bridge before the approximately 200-meter railway portion is almost complete, he added, stating that MMRDA had sent the design for the steel bridge to the railways for approval, which, in turn, had suggested modifications. The non-railway portion of the bridge will be made of cement concrete.

With the State Election Commission allotting poll symbols only on Monday, just 10 days before the city goes to polls, Independent candidates are adopting innovative strategies to familiarise voters from their wards with their poll symbols.

Excerpt from Hindustan Times Mumbai, reported by Bhavika Jain on February 07, 2012: Read Full Article

A citizen candidate from ward number 149, Chembur, Dr Neelam Rane’s symbol is a kite (representational picture only)

With limited funds, these candidates are devising strategies that will help them attract the attention of the masses rather than a select few.
A citizen candidate from ward number 149, Chembur, Dr Neelam Rane’s symbol is a kite, and to promote it, she is planning kite-flying events in the ward. “Apart from the regular house-to-house visits, we are also going to have kite-flying sessions in our ward so that people know that the kite is our symbol and that they should vote for it,” said Dr Sandeep Rane, her husband who helps co-ordinate her campaign.

There are more than 1,000 Independent candidates contesting the civic polls this time, all of who got their symbols on Monday, two days late because of a delay in the scrutiny of the nomination forms. Assuming that it will take them two days to get their campaign material ready, these candidates will have a week to popularise their symbol. As per the SEC rules, candidates must stop campaigning 48 hours before the elections.

The art wing of Chembur Karnatak High School (CKHS) run by Chembur Karnatak Sangha has recently organized an Art workshop titled ‘Concept 11 Art & Craft’ for its class 9 and 10 students during a two days vacation.
Story by Sudhakar Anchan. Pix: M.M. Shirodkar, dated Feb 5, 2012

“It is said, Art is Man’s Nature and Nature is God’s Art” read the banner. Thus CKHS was the ideal platform to bring out the creativity of its students, through the workshop called CONCEPT 11.”
This Art and Craft workshop exposed the students to various aspects and expressions of art like Coffee Painting, Tie and Dye, T-Shirt

Concept 11 Art & Craft (Picture Courtesy : M.M. Shirodkar )

Painting, Fish Key Holders, Tattoo Painting, Transfer Card, Floating Diya and Brush and Stroke Painting.
During the two day workshop, the students were completely engrossed in their work and came out with wonderful creations. One could see a display of unique creations and a rainbow of colours all around. Students are seen thoroughly enjoying the workshop.
The event was given whole hearted support by the school management. Under the supervision of Raji Ramesh, the Assistant H.M., the art teachers Shriram Mahajan and Promod Kurve guided the art students in the workshop which was held in association with Camlin. Sumedh Mohite, Manager represented Camlin.
President of the Sangha Prabhakar Bolar said, “Ours is the only school in the vicinity which gives an option between Computer and Art for Standard 9 and 10 students. The hidden talents in art and craft exhibited by our students in these two day event are exemplary.”
Raji Ramesh stated, “Every year we have this art workshop in the school. It is something unique and different because students are exposed to different forms of Art which can only be taught in such workshops outside the confines of classroom for want of time.”
“The children really enjoyed to the hearts’ content. Creativity was at its best and the end product was excellent. It was very difficult to judge for the prizes. There were 15 prizes under various categories including three prizes for each of the two classes. Certificates were specifically printed for the art workshop which was given to winning students along with the prizes on the concluding day” explained Raji Ramesh.
In the closing ceremony, when the parents spoke, they said that in this two day event so many things about Art were learnt by our children which otherwise could not have been possible during class hours.
A parent of a Class 10 student averred, “Initially I was reluctant to send my child for the workshop owing the pressure of class 10 board exams. But when I saw her creation I felt she did more worthwhile thing in these two days of workshop. It was such a good workshop to encourage children and very good approach by the school management.”
Ranjana V. Jadhav, a student exclaimed, “We all students are very thankful to our Art teachers, our madam Raji Ramesh and the school management for giving us this golden opportunity. We all enjoyed in bringing our imaginary creative things into material form. The stress of appearing for board exams is totally disappeared now.”

“For me art is devotion and I am its devotee. Art is God and our Art teachers are our Gurus and we the art students are their followers. Art is like a flower and we are the honeybees who help in germinating the seeds of Art” reiterated Rohit, a student of XB.
He further added, “The art workshop was fantastically stupendous. The Tie and Dye technique was first time seen by all of us. The Coffee Painting was also very good. For me art is a material form of any beautiful observation.”
As someone rightly said, “Creativity is not in what you do, it is how you do it. Creativity is a gift given to us in a form that is unique to who we are. We all should strive for excellence rather than perfection.” The workshop rightly proved so for the students of CKHS.

‘No Way’ the story mentioning the plight of rail commuters using the sky walk connecting south end FOB of Chembur railway station appeared on January 7 issue of CG Plus.

Source: Chembur-Ghatkopar Plus dated February 4, 2012 by Sudhakar Anchan, PIX: M.M. Shirodkar.

Chembur skywalk entrance

The commuters entry to the sky walk from the FOB was blocked by the presence of a horizontal beam put up by the authorities. It caused a great deal of inconvenience especially for senior citizens, women and children while passing through the stretch by bending and twisting their body.

“The railway officials began cutting the horizontal beam using gas cutters since morning on January 27. They eventually finished the job in the evening. The officials told me to wait for a few minutes before finishing and allowed me to pass through the stretch,” exclaimed Advocate Vijay S. Amin who was instrumental in highlighting the issue to railway officials by showing CG Plus article published in the January 7 issue.

Talking about the time bar lapse of the FOB Chembur Station Master, Dharmanand Rikhadi said, “It can only be taken up when budget is sanctioned. The budget grant will be sanctioned from the authorities within few months from now. FOB’s time bar is due but it is not in a precarious condition. So commuters need not worry.”

A resident of Saraswati Society in Subhash Nagar, Vijay Kumar Amin stated, “It is indeed a relief for Chemburites while using the sky walk now. CG Plus is doing a great service by taking up such important civic issues that affects citizens.”

The accused a movie buff splurges the money so earned on good clothes, food, latest gadgets and do drugs.
Source: Chembur-Ghatkopar Plus dated January 28, 2012, PIX : M.M. Shirodkar

Acause Mohd Ajmeri

Deonar police recently caught the most wanted auto thief Mohammad Ajmeri (30) who is a Mumbra resident while driving a stolen auto (MH-03-AK-1670) in Govandi. The auto belonged to complainant Mohammad Samshuddin (40), a resident of Baingawadi.
The Deonar police said that few days ago the complainant Shamshuddin had parked his auto in front of Kena Market. Within minutes Ajmeri, the accused managed to flee with the auto. The aggrieved Shamshuddin then lodged a complaint in Deonar police station.
While patrolling the streets from Tata Nagar to Govandi Railway station, three Deonar police constables Raju Padalkar, Thakur and Jagtap spotted the auto. The accused was plying the auto on share basis which had six passengers.
When confronted Ajmeri blurted out that the vehicle belonged to his boss and he is plying the auto on rent. Not convinced by his answers the constables took Ajmeri to Deonar police station. When the owner Samshuddin arrived at the police station, he revealed about the auto theft.
The modus operandi of Ajmeri is very daring. After fleeing with the auto he plies the auto in the same locality on seat sharing basis for two to three days and earns approximately around

Rs.400 per day. Then he parks the vehicle in the parking lot for a month or so by paying parking charges. Once the situation becomes normal he sells the auto by dismantling it in Kurla spare part market.

MH-03-AK-1670 : Most wanted auto

“Ajmeri had been booked under section 379 of IPC. He will be in police custody for five days. We are further investigating whether he has stolen anymore vehicles and if there are any partners in crime,” said Crime police inspector Pandit Thakre of Deonar police station.
“The money so earned by fraudulent means, the accused Ajmeri splurges on movies, good clothes, food, electronic gadgets and do drugs also.

Our alert constables managed to catch hold of him in time and handed over the auto to its owner who was plying the vehicle day and night to earn some extra bucks for his daughter’s impending marriage,” Thakre further revealed.

Excerpt from DNA, reported by Vishwas Waghmode on Jan 30, 2012: Read Full Article
Activists of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) in Chembur seem to be taking the advantage of their alliance with Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party for the civic polls.

File Photo: Ramdas Athawale

Local activist Gautam Shinde has reportedly constructed a party office on a pavement in the Maravali church area at Chembur without permission, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.

“There was no office on the footpath earlier. The RPI (Athawale) activists put their party flags there to grab the land and constructed the office within four months,” claimed Nitesh Banerjee, a local resident.

Republic Day, celebrated on January 26, every year, is one of India’s most important national events. It was on January 26, 1950 that the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.

Source: Bombay Times, The Times of India (REPUBLIC DAY Special) dated January 26, 2012 by Sudhakar Anchan.

On this day, India finally enjoyed the freedom of spirit, rule of law and fundamental principle of governance. The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity.
Republic Day is a people’s day in a variety of ways. It’s when regional identity takes a backseat and what matters most is the universal appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by all Indians.
The Indian constitution basically stands for the aspirations which ‘the common man of India’ cherishes. Republic Day is a day of the citizen of the country when he is entitled to be ‘all supreme’.
Republic Day is celebrated most majestically in the capital, New Delhi, where symbols of the great nation’s military might and cultural wealth are displayed in what is the world’s most impressive parade. All Government buildings are illuminated lending the city the atmosphere of a fairyland. This day is celebrated with much zeal and pride all across the nation.
In Maharashtra too the 63rd Republic Day will be celebrated with patriotic fervor and enthusiasm on Thursday. The Governor of the state K. Shankaranarayanan will unfurl the national flag at Shivaji Park and take salute from the security forces at the ceremonial parade. School children will also participate in the ceremony.
As all over in Maharashtra and India, the suburb of Chembur and Ghatkopar will also be celebrating Republic Day function. Schools, colleges, other institutions and even many housing societies and colonies in the suburb will hoist national flag which will be followed by cultural programmes in the morning.
Chembur Karnataka High School will be hoisting the tricolor at 8 am which will be followed by cultural programme by the school children. “Dr. K. Ratnakar Shtty, a renowned surgeon and Honorary Consultant, Department of General Surgery, K J Somaiya Medical College Hospital and Research Center will be the chief guest” said Prabhakar Bolar, President of Chembur Karnataka Sangha.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the MMRDA to file a reply as to what it pertains to do with regards to a masjid, which is coming in the way of the construction of Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR).

Excerpt from DNA, reported by DNA Correspondent on Jan 19, 2012: Read Full Article 

Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR)

The HC was informed that the masjid trust has been given an alternative masjid, which is 10 times better than the old one, but they are not allowing the old one to be demolished. The advocate for the trust argued that the new masjid, which is on Mhadaland is not being given an NOC and thus the new masjid is not legal.

The bench then directed MMRDA to write to Mhada for granting the NoC.

The HC was hearing a petition filed by a private construction company whose permission has been revoked by MMRDA. The company, Priya Constructions, wants to demolish the masjid situated at Tilak Nagar, as it is coming in way of the Santacruz-Chembur-Link Road and is required to be demolished for the implementation of a Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. According to the petition filed by the company, it was granted Letter of Intent in the year 2010 by MMRDA.

Source: CHEMBUR-GHATKOPAR PLUS dated January 14, 2012 by Sudhakar Anchan. Pix: M.M. Shirodkar.

“I am a resident of building no.51 in Tilak Nagar and ever since I have taken possession of my flat in 2006 there is open gutter flowing outside our building gate. We get contaminated water supply because of this. The building residents have complained many times but no action has been taken yet,” says Olvin Serrao while addressing the problem.

The sewerage line in front of the building Nos. 51 & 53, Tilak Nagar is chocked up, which is overflowing and water alongwith human excrement

The problem is perennial in Tilak Nagar. Since last three years, the sewerage line in front of the building no.51 and 53 has chocked up. This sewerage line runs parallel to the drinking water supply line and has got mixed up with potable water.

Though BMC has, time and again, made efforts to resolve the problem, no fruitful solution has been made yet. The passage is obstructed by new building activities and the builders/developers are not bothered to make proper provisions for the straight flow of sewage water.

James George, another resident laments, “This sewerage line is overflowing throughout the day on the main road to Tilak Nagar railway station. Thousands of people pass through this road to reach the railway station. There is a school in the vicinity of this spot, so school children are also forced to go through this road. Though the Municipal Corporation M-West ward is highly benefitted with the re-development and re-construction and has become rich by property tax collection, no infrastructure development has been made adequately.”

“Hope the authorities will look into the matter and expedite soon,” George adds further.

Raja Chowgule, corporator of the area said, “I am aware of the problem. But the entire Tilak Nagar area comes under MHADA. The water and sewerage lines are 30 to 40 years old. When MHADA is redeveloping the area it should take into consideration these problems also”

“Recently ward officer of M-West ward, Tilak Nagar residents and MHADA officials held a meeting to sort out the issue. Almost 95 percent of the water contamination problem is solved. After obtaining NOC from MHADA, BMC has sorted out water contamination issue. Sewerage line overflowing issue will also be taken care of. But it will take time. The basic problem is MHADA. While redeveloping old buildings MHADA should have taken care of these basic amenities in the beginning itself” added Chowgule.

A ward official on condition of anonymity said, “Of course there is problem. BMC does its best. But main problem is of MHADA. While redeveloping the old buildings, MHADA should have done proper layout in the planning stage itself. Their outlook should be on long term basis.”

Source: Chembur Ghatkopar Plus dated January 14, 2012 by Sudhakar Anchan, Pix: M.M. Shirodkar.
A three feet wide open drainage pit awaits you on your way to Govandi railway station. It has been more than a year and it has been reported that many pedestrians have accidentally fallen in the pit. Some were hospitalized due to severe head or limb injuries. “How can authorities be so insensitive towards commuters owes? It has been more than a year now and still the pit remain uncovered” laments Ravi Kotian who takes this route regularly.

Drainage pit opp Govandi station , Pix: M.M. Shirodkar

Manali Chalke a rail commuter said, “A fortnight ago two ladies fell into the drainage pit and suffered very badly. One of them was admitted in Shatabdi hospital. I am more cautious now while passing through this stretch. But everyone can’t be lucky when they are in a hurry to reach their destination.”

A nearby shop owner said that this stretch of the road leading to Govandi Railway station is more risky for pedestrians during night time as not a single street light exists on this stretch.

W ard officer Sunil N Madne of M(East ward) said, “I will look into the problem and do the needful”. Corporator of the area Shashikant Patil said, “Actually it comes under the jurisdiction of railways. I have installed night lamps on the part of the railway station area which comes under BMC, but this particular stretch comes under the station authorities”.

However Govandi railway station authorities have a different story to tell. The station in-charge on condition of anonymity says, “This station area is under lease from BMC. The spot which you are mentioning does not come under us. It is the responsibility of the BMC to cover this drainage pit”.

Central Railway PRO A.K. Singh also assured to look into the problem.

“Let anyone be the authorities for the particular spot, common citizens are suffering. The situation is easily avoidable if the authorities show little empathy towards citizens and alertness while discharging their duties” said a concerned resident.