The Irony of Civic Governance in Mumbai

“Surely the city has more pressing issues than renaming of roads!” said Nitai Mehta,
Nitai Mehta during the press conference founder Trustee of Praja Foundation. Praja.org with support of FNF released a White Paper that highlights the huge gap between civic issues faced by the citizens of Mumbai and the role of elected representatives in addressing the same.

During a period between January 2008 and November 2009, the number of complaints filed relating to roads by the citizens of Mumbai stood at 74,801. Bad patches, resurfacing of roads, fallen trees on roads, reinstatement of trenches, potholes were some of the major complaints by the citizens.

During the same period, the maximum questions asked by elected representatives ( Corporators) in the Ward Committee meetings related to renaming of roads, 258 questions in all during 34 months, almost one fifth of all questions asked. The next highest number of questions asked pertained to repair of roads: only 85 Questions during the tenure.

Praja has published a series of White Papers in the past year covering the work of MPs and MLAs in Mumbai, and comparing this work with governance issues of the city. Praja also offers an online Dialogue Forum to raise issues with the elected representatives. For more information please see www.praja.org.

overview