PRIORITIES FOR MP ELECTIONS IN NORTH-WEST MUMBAI 2005.

(This was prepared before the MP elections for the Canddates in May 2005 on behalf of JUHU EKTA ALM).

Develop Recreation Facilities

• Promote early implementation of the Juhu Beach Development Plan so that all section of the city and tourists are enabled to de-stress and enjoy.

• A Jogger's Park with sports area for youngsters at the MHADA GROUND in New D.N.Nagar. JUHU EKTA ALM is ready to complete development. Similar open areas in Parle, Santa Cruz needed.

• Enclosed halls, at low rates needed for social occasions, cultural events and local functions. Promote Mangal Karyalaya’s.

• Provide for some funds from your own MP-LAD fund. The Lower Income Groups need easy access to open area for meeting, relaxation and exercise. They can't afford private clubs and resorts.

Enforce Laws on Noise Pollution

• Noise levels are very high in the day and night.

• Prevent use of mechanical or electrical gadgets to generate noise above 55 dB at any time of day or night.

• Create enclosed spaces, like Mangal Karyalaya's for domestic / local and religious celebrations.

• Use MP-LAD funds for such social purpose halls.

• Lower strata of society need their peace and quiet, day and night, to face the daily hardship of living in Mumbai. They can't afford closed air-conditioned rooms and cars to keep the noise out.

• Provide local police stations with 'sound pressure' measuring instrumentation.

Ample Parking in Market Places

• Legislate laws to force development of local markets with ample parking to enable people to complete their shopping with low stress.

• Shops have been licensed without adequate footpaths or parking. How are people supposed to carry their purchases if they cannot walk safely or drive even a two wheeler.

• Continuous towing of vehicles in shopping area is harassment when no alternative is provided.

• MPs should do their household shopping at Parle, Juhu and Andheri Market to understand the daily difficulties faced by citizens.

Resolve Traffic Congestion

• Early completion of the D.P. road from Gulmohur Road to Western Expressway as an alternative road to Juhu Gulli (Barfiwalla Road). Same at Milan Subway.

• Early completion of shortcut from Juhu Versova Link Road to Rithambara College Road as an alternative to driving via Juhu Circle.

• Allocate funds for flyover at Juhu Circle and foot over bridges for railway crossings at V. Parle and Amboli.

• Footpaths and pedestrian crossings at all junctions.

• Daily wage earners, semi-skilled workers, Rickshaw, Taxi, Bus and Truck drivers are losing time, money and health due to traffic congestion with air and noise pollution.

• Use MP-LAD funds to relocate encroachers and complete the projects.

Public Hospital

• Improve the Cooper Public Hospital facilities to enable poorer sections of society to get decent health care.

• Make it a ‘pleasant place’ to reduce stress and depression of the sick and their visitors.

• Provide for adequate and well appointed waiting area in morgue.

Police Stations

• Ensure that the local Police Stations have adequate staff always and that the officers and constables get adequate rest.

• Provide for free Yoga / Pranayam Classes for officers and constables.

• Insist and verify that they participate in local citizen functions and programs to enable closer cooperation.

Rationalization of BMP Taxes

• Enable legislation for rationalization of Municipal Taxes in Mumbai, specifically in our North West area.

• Like stamp duty, buildings in the same area should have same base value for tax purposes.

• Taxes are paid for services provided. End use can be the only reason for different rates in the same area, not year or quality of construction. Housing complexes here are paying high taxes compared to older buildings in the south-city.

Regular Review of BMP Spends

• Enable legislation for regular review of how Municipal Taxes in each ‘City Corporator Ward’ are being spent.

• How many percent goes for salaries, development and maintenance in the Ward should be open for public discussion.

• Lower income families need to understand where their rupee is spent.

Meetings with MPs

• Insist on monthly meeting between MP, MLAs and Mun. Corporators to enable coordination for 'minimum common program'.

• Involve NGOs and ALMs in planning, costing, execution and supervision of projects, so that doubts are removed.

Implement free competition in retailing of electrical energy, cable and internet services.