House arrest for Worli residents

Locals, already fed up of BWSL traffic, upset over untrimmed trees that make walking difficult

Locals, already fed up of BWSL traffic, upset over untrimmed trees that make walking difficult

For J C Parekh (80), a resident of Worli, going on a walk twice a day along the Worli Seaface is an everyday ritual. And till two months ago it was also a pleasure. Now, it's a tedious chore.

Parekh and other residents have been forced into virtual house arrest, as overgrown trees on the footpaths obstruct movement. And, of course, there is the rise in traffic due to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL).

"My wife and I used to go for daily walks, but now we don't even go out. Walking here had anyway become difficult because of BWSL.

And the BMC hasn't bothered to trim the trees so that we can use the pavement without walking into the branches," said Parekh.



Long wait

Another resident, Nikhil Desai (68), has been frequently complaining to the BMC's G-South ward office and the traffic police regarding this.

But even after three months, he claims, no action has been taken. "We sent the first complaint in June, but no trees have been trimmed yet. The branches almost cover our faces, making it difficult to walk," he said.

He added that after the complaint, the traffic police asked the BMC to look into the matter, but in vain. "It's absolute negligence.
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Our life has become miserable. From problems over parking and crossing roads [after BWSL] to now walking on the footpaths, things are getting wor- se day-by-day," said Desai.

In defence

S Y Gadkari, assistant municipal commissioner of G-south ward, denied such a compliant had been made, "but I will definitely check on this".

Sanjay Barve, joint CP (traffic), also denied receiving any such letter and said, "But it is the BMC's job to look into the matter."

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