Infrastructure Gaps Plague Mumbai's P North Ward Before Civic Elections
Mumbai's P North administrative ward faces mounting civic challenges as municipal elections approach. Residents and political candidates have identified traffic congestion, poor sanitation, inadequate healthcare and environmental degradation as pressing concerns across Malad West and surrounding areas.
Traffic Bottlenecks and Transportation Woes
Congress candidate Parminder Singh Bamra from ward 47 highlighted persistent traffic problems on Malad Link Road. He explained that completing the Creek Road project could significantly ease traffic flow toward Malwani, Gorai and Charkop. "Nearly eighty percent of the work stands finished already," Bamra stated. "Finishing this road would ensure smoother movement for thousands of commuters daily."
Bamra specifically identified Sundar Lane, Mittal College and the stretch between Chincholi and Mithi Chowki as major choke points. "Simply clearing these bottlenecks would improve traffic movement dramatically," he emphasized. "Better traffic flow would also help reduce air pollution in these congested areas."
Multiple Civic Shortcomings Identified
BJP candidate Sumitra Mhatre from ward 49, which includes Aksa Beach and Ambujwadi slums, outlined numerous civic deficiencies. She pointed to poor sanitation in traditional Gaothan settlements and the complete absence of health and vaccination centers. "We urgently need a proper civic hospital in this area," Mhatre stressed.
Transportation remains another critical issue according to Mhatre. "We require buses with higher frequency, proper traffic signals and zebra crossings to reduce accidents on Madh-Marve Road," she explained. The candidate also highlighted inadequate street lighting, particularly near the jetty area which remains isolated after dark.
Mhatre raised additional concerns about women's security in Gaothan areas and persistent water scarcity affecting residents. Environmental damage has compounded these problems, with mangroves suffering destruction from illegal dumping. "Garbage, debris and plastic are being dumped directly into the mangrove areas," she reported with alarm.
Residents Echo Concerns Across Communities
Santosh Koli, a resident of Madh Koliwada, confirmed these problems affect multiple communities. He noted approximately seven koliwadas and an equal number of gaothans within the ward all face similar challenges. "The coastline remains dirty, sanitation standards are poor and village roads stay narrow," Koli described. "We lack street lights, civic dispensaries and proper hospitals. Public transportation proves both infrequent and unreliable."
Affected areas include Marve, Malwani, Erangal, Aksa Bhatti, Dinde and Bhandarwada among other traditional settlements. Vasudev Kanade from Bhandarwada raised concerns about the municipal market near Malad railway station. "Previously this market had good fruit and vegetable vendors," he recalled. "Now garment sellers have taken over with rents reaching one to one and a half lakh rupees."
Unable to afford these high rents, vegetable vendors have moved onto the roads. "Illegal hawking outside the railway station has become rampant," Kanade observed. "During peak hours it becomes nearly impossible to walk through the area."
New Problems Follow Infrastructure Improvements
Nanu Rathod, a tailor with a shop on Mamletdar Wadi Road off SV Road, noted that while road widening and concreting resolved chronic waterlogging issues, they created different problems. "The grilled manhole covers have led to increased mosquito breeding," Rathod explained.
He flagged health and safety as major ongoing concerns. "We still have no civic hospital, and the concreted roads encourage dangerous speeding," Rathod stated. "Authorities installed a speed breaker only after a resident suffered spinal injuries in an accident."
Political Responses and Proposed Solutions
Venugopal Ayengar, a BSP candidate contesting from wards 35 and 47, highlighted stalled redevelopment projects affecting large slum populations. "Maintenance remains poor and water supply in slums proves inadequate," he reported.
MNS candidate Snehita Dehalikar from ward 46 described the area outside Malad railway station as chaotic despite road widening efforts. She advocates implementing the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme to address congestion.
Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh emphasized the urgent need for a bridge connecting Link Road with Marve Road, a project delayed due to coastal regulation clearances. "Redevelopment of slum clusters will resolve many civic issues," Shaikh asserted. "Proper redevelopment would ensure residents receive homes double their current size."
The P North ward stretches from near Malad railway station to Aksa Beach, encompassing diverse communities now united in demanding better civic infrastructure as election campaigning intensifies across Mumbai.
