Predominantly inhabited by Maharashtrians, Gujaratis and Kannadigas, Matunga Road is peaceful. Also, unlike rest of the city, the concept of residential buildings forming a co-operative society is very common here the Matunga Mahim Residents' Welfare Association was founded in August, 1997. In other words, Matunga Road residents are beginning to get aware of their rights asMumbaiites.

However, the picture isn't just rosy. One problem that plagues Mumbai hasn't spared Matunga Road either. Pavements, which were once a luxury here, have gradually been taken over by hawkers. The suburb which was once known for pavements on its overbridges also, is fast being engulfed by the menace -- over the last 10 years, the pavements of T H Kataria Marg and Visheshrao overbridge have been taken over by hawkers.

``We have written several letters to the civic authorities to curb this menace but in vain,'' complains Dinesh Ahir of Matunga Mahim Residents' Association. ``This is all due to the laxity and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the civic body,'' he adds. ``Each day we find a new hawker in our neighbourhood. Also, the size of the stalls has increased over a period of time, leaving no room for the residents to walk,'' he rues further.

The situation almost became uncontrollable last year. This was because the BMC decided to shift hawkers from overflowing Dadar to Matunga Road.Thanks to the residents' welfare association here, a petition was filed in Bombay High Court to bring about a stay order. ``If it wasn't for the 23 petitions filed by various residents from different parts of the city in Bombay High Court, the Ward Office would have shifted a sizeable number of hawkers from Dadar to Matunga Road,'' informs a resident.

According to the sources, in order to tackle bottlenecks in the neighbouring suburb of Dadar, a plan was drawn up in September 1998 by the BMC to shift hawkers to Matunga Road. As per the plan, 262 hawkers were to be accommodated at T H Kataria Road, taking into consideration already existing hawkers -- 63 in Moghul Lane, 128 at Shitla Devi Temple Road, and 88 at Bal Govindas Road. ``Pitches were also demarcated for the purpose at various locations by the BMC,'' says a furious Moghul Lane resident. This, however, could not be implemented as the residents got together and filed petition in Bombay High Court. While the residents obtained a stay order, HC hasordered the BMC to rework its hawker relocation plan.

A meeting of state government authorities, including BMC officials, and residents was held on March 17, 1999. It turned out to be a futile effort. Also, according to an order, paavtis were not to be issued to hawkers after November 1998, but Ahir showed a paavti that he obtained through a source on December 23, 1998. ``Delayed responses and inefficiency to deal with the offenders on the part of authorities has worked in the favour of ever-increasing hawkers,'' grumbles an active member. Complains Ahir: ``This proliferation has to stop, otherwise it will become another Ramade Road.''

Another chronic problem that has been afflicting Mumbai is that of ever-increasing slums. Matunga Road is no exception. Hutments, coming up as major source of votebank (alleges a resident), are on the rise here, too. Hand-in-hand with the encroachment menace come related civic and traffic problems. Every inch of available land -- pavements and unoccupied plots -- havevirtually been taken over either by hawkers or slums. Since most of them came up before 1995 (with the flop SRD plan still pending), the residents find themselves helpless and fuming.

``The problem arose when these illegal structures started eating into precious public space like pavements. And thanks to the state government, they now have ration cards, regular water supply and even electricity connections. And when you have all this, who will want to leave,'' says a resident, grumbling about the lack of footpaths on Tulsi Pipe Road, where the shanties touch the edges of road. ``We have to use the road for walking. This could even be fatal,'' he adds. What's worse, these slum-dwellers use the main road to bath, wash clothes and cook. This leaves the pedestrians with no place to walk on the road, too.

As most of the slums here came up before January 1, 1995, they cannot be demolished till the state government rehabilitates the dwellers elsewhere. And whatever little of pavements has been spared by them isbeing conveniently used by restaurants, as is obvious from a Ganga Vihar Restaurant on the junction of T H Kataria Road and Moghul Lane. Of late, another problem which the residents have been facing is the parking problem. With growing population parking problem cannot be kept at bay. Heavy traffic and absence of pavements on certain roads have restricted parking spaces, except for truck and bus drivers who park anywhere and everywhere. The Ward Officer, G-North, R S Salvi, assured he will look into the matter. ``Action will be taken against offenders,'' he says.