09 January,2011 07:36 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
Residents and traders protest against traffic chaos and businesses being hit due to tightened security in area every time a political dignitary visits
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Mumbai on January 6 only added to the woes of Colaba residents and traders. Stringent security measures stalled movement on the roads in Colaba during US President Barack Obama's visit to the city last year. Residents and traders have now decided to jointly protest since these VVIP visits affect their daily life. Some merchants in the area have also decided to write a letter the PM expressing their anger over how his visit to the city has affectedu00a0 residents.
Heavy security at Colaba near The Gateway of India during PM
Manmohan Singh's visit on January 6. PIC/ SAYED SAMEER ABEDI
Ferry owners are the first to be hit when a VVIP visits as the jetty service is asked to be shut down due to tight security as their business is centred around Gateway of India, opposite Taj Hotel. "You can't imagine the economic loss that we face due to this area been cordoned off by the Mumbai police. Earlier, a boat departed from Gateway every five minutes, but now due to security checks and barricades, people have to walk down.
So they reach the jetty late and we have to wait the jetty is occupied, which also impacts the number of rounds that we make during the day. We boat owners are planning to meet the respective officials requesting them to remove the barricades," said Suhas Padte, a boat owner.u00a0 Padte revealed that many boat owners are now contemplating shutting down their business as they are hardly able to make business.
Few others such as Malini Akerkar, a Colaba resident and restaurant owner said, "We have no issues with the security. We respect it, but all we want a proper system where residents of the area don't get affected. Life cannot be strangled like this. Everything is focussed around Taj Hotel. We are sick and tired. Cops also need to consider residents, traders and restaurant owners whose lives have become hell in last few months due to this constant security and barricades installed in the area," she said.
Akerkar added that the condition has worsened since US President Barack Obama's visit to the city. She said, "During French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit we were asked to take special car parking passes. Can you imagine residents needing special passes to move around their own area?"
Citing the PM's visit as a recent example that caused chaos, Akerkar added, "I took one-and-a-half hours to reach Marine Drive. It normally takes 25 minutes from Colaba. It was like a war zone. Most of the areas that lead to Marine Drive were closed which made us take the long route to reach Marine Drive. Even a walk on the footpath in Colaba has become difficult for us as many two way streets have now turned into one-way street."
Padte too echoed Akrekar sentiments, "During the PM's visit, we were officially asked to shut by 4 pm, when suddenly cops came and asked to shut the jetty at 2 pm. They allowed it to remain open after we pleaded with them. Why does the entire area have to be cordoned off? We face losses only because we are located close to Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which was under terror attack. Since the attacks, boat parties too have not been permitted," rued Padte.
A horse carriage owner, who did not wished to be named, claimed that tongawalas are running out of business because of the beefed up security at the star hotel. "They do not permit us to enter and if they do, not many people dare to come towards Gateway because of the tightened security."
A four-star hotel in Colaba has also been facing a drop in occupancy level since the area has been barricaded by cops. "Who cares about our business and our livelihood? Our room occupancy level too has gone down by 10 to 15 percent since December 25 2010. We hope the cops listen to our plea."
Raju Jagtiani, a member of Colaba resident Association said, "Our life has become hell here as we stay just behind Taj Hotel. Moving in and out of the area is a serious problem for all of us. Cops have to look for some alternatives, so residents don't feel like strangers in their own area."u00a0
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How the boat rocks
> 93 boats provide ferry services at Gateway
> 73 are luxury and 20 are ordinary boats
> Monthly income of a ferry owner during season isu00a0Rs 75,000
> During Barack Obama's visit to the city in November shops, restaurants and jetties were forced to close for three days.
> On Navy day (December 4), jetties at the Gateway were closed for two days.
The Other Side
DCP-Traffic Nandkumar Chougle and a senior official from BMC's A-Ward both passed the buck to the police saying that the security orders have been given by the police department.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Chhering Dorje said, "We understand and regretu00a0 the inconvenience that the residents and traders have to go through due to the security being beef-up. But I would request everyone to support us. We are forced to take stringent security measures due to recent intelligence inputs to avoid any untoward situation. We are doing this for people's security."
