Dividers come between advertisers and BMC

Khar-based activist writes to BMC, seeking action against advertisers ufffd assigned with the responsibility of maintaining road dividers ufffd for spoiling them with ads

Dividers come between advertisers and BMC

Khar-based activist writes to BMC, seeking action against advertisersu00a0-- assigned with the responsibility of maintaining road dividersu00a0-- for spoiling them with ads

The BMC has promised to beautify roads in the city by planting shrubbery on dividers, but the shabby condition of existing dividers tells a different story. Though, according to an agreement, the job of maintaining these dividers has been given to advertisers, the BMC does not appear to be monitoring whether they are actually doing what they are required to. However, following a letter by a citizen activist, the civic authorities now plan to take up the matter with the advertisers.

Pathetic:The shabby condition of road dividers on S V Road.
Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi

Aftab Siddique, Khar-based activist, president of Linking Road Citizen's Forum and chairperson of 33rd Road Khar ALM-144, had written to the zonal deputy municipal commissioner, Sudhir Naik, and local ward officer last month, seeking action against companies using dividers in Bandra for advertising, instead of maintaining them with turf and flowers.

She said that the condition of dividers on Linking Road and SV Road from Bandra to Santacruz is poor; the plants are shrivelling as they are not watered regularly. "I have requested the H-West ward office to pay attention to the maintenance of the plants," said Siddique. A resident of Linking Road on condition of anonymity said, "The entire stretch is not bad, but at some points the shrubs have dried up."

According to Siddique, those advertising on the dividers are earning well from their clients and the BMC should ensure that they maintain them as well. She added that the dividers at Carter Road are well maintained and the foliage is watered every night, while the ones on the other roads are ignored. Incidentally, Carter Road residents are not entirely happy about the maintenance of dividers. Rohan Moolya, a resident of Khar, said, "Every night tankers are brought in to water the divider at Carter Road and spillage creates slippery surfaces on the road, which results in bikers skidding."

The Other Side
H-West ward officer Manik Kshirsagar said, "We have been monitoring the maintenance of dividers regularly. I will also inform advertisers to see to it that they are well maintained since it is mandatory according to agreement." Sudhir Naik, then in-charge of Zone III, and now a deputy municipal commissioner directly under the municipal commissioner, said, "I received the letter from Siddique and have directed officials to ensure the matter is taken care of."