The eastern suburbs of Mumbai, encompassing the M West ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are currently in the grip of a multifaceted crisis. Areas like Chembur, Tilak Nagar, and Trombay, once known for their greenery, are now symbolic of the urban challenges plaguing the city, marked by deteriorating air quality, severe traffic congestion, and the fallout of rapid, unplanned redevelopment.
The Triple Threat: Pollution, Dust, and Industrial Emissions
Residents of these suburbs are breathing some of the most polluted air in Mumbai. The problem is twofold. Firstly, industrial emissions from major plants like Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) and BPCL in Mahul, coupled with the pervasive stench from the Deonar dumping ground, create a toxic mix. Secondly, a construction boom has blanketed neighborhoods in dust and debris.
"Pollution has been a continuous problem in the Chembur area, and during winters it gets especially bad," said Rajkumar Sharma of the Chembur-based Advanced Locality Management and Networking Action Committee (ALMANAC). He highlighted the heavy smog and the burning sensation in eyes caused by ammonia. The situation is exacerbated by massive redevelopment projects replacing smaller buildings with high-rises across Chembur, Tilak Nagar, and Pestom Sagar.
Traffic Gridlock and Pedestrian Nightmares
Ironically, the very infrastructure that made these suburbs attractive—the Eastern Freeway, Eastern Express Highway (EEH), and Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR)—has become a source of daily strife. Bottlenecks like the Amar Mahal Junction and roads outside key points such as Chembur railway station are perennially clogged. Uncoordinated digging for metro and monorail projects adds to the chaos.
The plight of pedestrians is equally dire. Footpaths have been largely usurped by hawkers and food stalls, leaving little room for people to walk safely. Suman Jadhav, a resident of Chembur postal colony, pointedly noted the congestion outside Chembur station, stating, "Footpaths have been completely taken over by the hawkers. Ironically, there is a BMC office on the road, but it doesn't change anything."
Political Promises and Administrative Hurdles
Local representatives acknowledge the issues but point to systemic roadblocks. Asha Marathe, former corporator of Ward 152 (Chembur West) and BJP's renominated candidate, cited the stalled process of forming Town Vending Committees, which she believes should include corporators for effective action against encroachments.
On pollution, her proposed solution involves the BMC spraying water regularly to settle dust. She promised regular action if voted back to power, admitting that current measures are sporadic and ineffective. The core issues remain unaddressed: pollution from refineries and the dumping yard, relentless traffic, encroached footpaths, and the environmental cost of redevelopment.
The eastern suburbs' transformation into a redevelopment hotspot, driven by good connectivity and available land, has come at a significant cost to the quality of life for its residents, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated and sustainable urban planning.
