CITIZENS,CORPORATOR & FLOWER BEDS KEEP HAWKERS AWAY
WEST SIDE PLUS (TIMES OF INDIA-SEP 2003)
By Skimmy Gupta
Last fortnight, members of local ALM ‘Nai Roshni Rahivasi Sangh’ erected flowerbeds at Kevni Gaothan, behind St. Blaise Church, Amboli to discourage encroachments and road blocking by hawkers. But, about 20 flowerbeds erected on side of a road were instantly destroyed allegedly by hawkers and stall owners stalls.The members and residents approached Vishnu Koregaonkar, local corporator, Amboli who immediately promised them to solve the matter .On 30th August; he planted first sapling on the flowerbed along with his workers.Few local senior citizens also took part in plantings amongst a huge gathering of residents.
Theresa Coelho,a social activist residing at Rose Palace building, Amboli was fed up with hawkers multiplying outside their locality .She was instrumental in initiating the idea of flowerbeds as she says, “Initially, a boy came to ask for space outside our building for putting a stall, we refused and erected a flowerbed there. But the entire thing was broken the same night. Instead of going to the police, we approached the local Corporator.Since that day,not a single sapling has been stolen or damaged.”
A.V.Shenoy, Member - Pedestrian Wing, Consumer Guidance Society of India, Mumbai feels, “At many places inspite of flowerbeds, the road is full of hawkers occupying footpaths leaving no space for pedestrians to walk. We have been fighting with MCGM to demolish these dirty and broken flowerpots and flowerbeds, which have no flowerplants. Putting flowerbeds to prevent hawkers is not the only solution. Unless someone takes responsibility to maintain these flowerbeds, they often become dustbins. If one is interested in Green and Pollution free Mumbai ;one can plant trees which do not require maintenance after initial few months.”
Another local resident says, “ We will now plan to regularly water the flowerbeds and maintain their beauty. These flowerbeds apart from keeping the hawkers at bay add to beauty of the surroundings.” The flowerbeds are just outside our buildings and in the bylanes with no footpaths.They are over the rain drains where spaces are left for cleaning.We are determined to keep flowerbeds clean,adds Theresa.
Vishnu Koregaonkar, local Shiv Sena corporator, Amboli feels such initiatives taken up by local area citizens is an encouraging sign. He believes rampant encroachments and excessive hawkers on suburban roads needs to be halted.He adds,” Although BMC is keeping a check on them. But citizens keen to keep their localities free from nuisance of hawkers is a welcome idea. Moreover, flowerbeds make the area green and beautiful.”
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By Skimmy Gupta
Last fortnight, members of local ALM ‘Nai Roshni Rahivasi Sangh’ erected flowerbeds at Kevni Gaothan, behind St. Blaise Church, Amboli to discourage encroachments and road blocking by hawkers. But, about 20 flowerbeds erected on side of a road were instantly destroyed allegedly by hawkers and stall owners stalls.The members and residents approached Vishnu Koregaonkar, local corporator, Amboli who immediately promised them to solve the matter .On 30th August; he planted first sapling on the flowerbed along with his workers.Few local senior citizens also took part in plantings amongst a huge gathering of residents.
Theresa Coelho,a social activist residing at Rose Palace building, Amboli was fed up with hawkers multiplying outside their locality .She was instrumental in initiating the idea of flowerbeds as she says, “Initially, a boy came to ask for space outside our building for putting a stall, we refused and erected a flowerbed there. But the entire thing was broken the same night. Instead of going to the police, we approached the local Corporator.Since that day,not a single sapling has been stolen or damaged.”
A.V.Shenoy, Member - Pedestrian Wing, Consumer Guidance Society of India, Mumbai feels, “At many places inspite of flowerbeds, the road is full of hawkers occupying footpaths leaving no space for pedestrians to walk. We have been fighting with MCGM to demolish these dirty and broken flowerpots and flowerbeds, which have no flowerplants. Putting flowerbeds to prevent hawkers is not the only solution. Unless someone takes responsibility to maintain these flowerbeds, they often become dustbins. If one is interested in Green and Pollution free Mumbai ;one can plant trees which do not require maintenance after initial few months.”
Another local resident says, “ We will now plan to regularly water the flowerbeds and maintain their beauty. These flowerbeds apart from keeping the hawkers at bay add to beauty of the surroundings.” The flowerbeds are just outside our buildings and in the bylanes with no footpaths.They are over the rain drains where spaces are left for cleaning.We are determined to keep flowerbeds clean,adds Theresa.
Vishnu Koregaonkar, local Shiv Sena corporator, Amboli feels such initiatives taken up by local area citizens is an encouraging sign. He believes rampant encroachments and excessive hawkers on suburban roads needs to be halted.He adds,” Although BMC is keeping a check on them. But citizens keen to keep their localities free from nuisance of hawkers is a welcome idea. Moreover, flowerbeds make the area green and beautiful.”
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 14, 2008
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