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Joyeta Bose
Widespread opinion is that Parel -- with its wide roads, pavements without hawkers, markets, efficient transport linkages and nightly crime beat -- is relatively problem-free. The reality though is different. In fact, it bites, rue residents. Come monsoon and problems multiply, as they always have in the past. "We can't do much about it as Parel is low-lying and prone to floods," reveals a BMC official. "Whenever it rains heavily, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road is flooded right from the Parel flyover to Kala Chowki. Reaching home is problem for all the four rainy months," says Himanshi Dhawan, a resident of Parel TT.
Buses surge by covering pedestrians in slush, scooterists haul their vehicles on to the road dividers to prevent from sinking, while Marutis and garbage float by. ``I have to wade through mucky, waist-deep water to get home because taxis either refuse to go or breakdown in the flood,'' she added.
Disposal of garbage becomes a difficulty when it rains because the flooding brings out the sewagecollected in gutters and manholes. Rains also make the situation of already putrefying garbage worse. ``Of course, there are always people who throw their garbage out of their windows but they are more an exception than the rule,'' defends Dhawan.
Some months ago, there was a sewage choke-up between two buildings, Calcuttawala and Willingdon House, Parel TT. Repeated complaints resulted in a municipal check, but no remedy. ``As soon as we paid a bribe, the drains were cleaned within a day,'' said a resident who didn't want to be named.
As Parel is predominantly an industrial area, pollution is also a big problem. ``If you stand in our balcony you can see black smoke pouring out of factory chimneys and you realise how noxious the air you breathe is,'' complains Natasha Hemrajani, an ad-film maker. ``Adding to the air pollution are numerous cars, buses and trucks that take this road because it is the main highway,'' she added. The traffic, besides aggravating the problem of air pollution, also adds to noisepollution. ``It is not an easy place to sleep at night, especially if your home faces the main road,'' says Dhawan.
A few years ago, Parel used to be rife with gang-rivalry. Violence and brawls were common, according to residents, the situation is improving. They allege that goondas used to lord each lane, but this is also not normal any longer. ``The gangs have moved somewhere else,'' they feel. A resident, Prasad Shetye, agrees that gangs have shifted elsewhere, but feels that crimes against residents are on the rise despite the police vehicle that patrols the area every night. Shetye owns a chemist shop which was looted six to seven months ago. ``A year ago there was an unsuccessful attempt to break into the shop. A few months later, we found the shutter had been pried open and several items had been robbed in the night,'' he explains.
Residents say that cars and their spare-parts are in danger of being stolen as well. Shettye's car was stolen earlier this year after several attempts. ``The thievestried night after night till they managed to take the car away,'' he says.
However, inspite of all the problems that come as a package, living in Parel is not all that bad. It is connected to the city by the Harbour Line, Western Line, Central Line and by numerous buses as well. Vegetables, fruits, medicines and household items are available while STD/ISD/XEROX shops are easily accessible. There are plenty of hospitals -- KEM, Wadia Hospital and Kasturba Gandhi Hospital, few to name of. Also, there's a centrally located post-office and electricity is never really a problem because of the mills in the area.
``The best thing about Parel is the veterinary hospital manned by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA),'' informs a resident, Natasha Hemrajani, recounting how the hospital staff collected a raven with a wounded wing which she found near her home and called her two days later to invite her for its funeral.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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