Andheri locals got BMC to construct footpaths

Till 2008, residents of Lallubhai park area in Andheri (West) had no footpaths. During monsoon, they had open stormwater drains running alongside the roads. Irked with the overflowing drains and flooded roads, the residents decided to take matters in their hands.

The persistent efforts of the Lallubhai Park Area Association (LAPARA) ensured that the civic officials took note of the issue.

“The overflowing drains made it difficult for people to walk on the roads during monsoon,” said Jagdeep Desai, member of the core committee.

“We held meetings with the residents to decide our plan of action. We sent letters and followed it up with our ward coordinators. Consequently, they paid heed to our problem and took the required steps to solve it,” said Kishore Vora, president of the association.

The residents got the civic officials to cover the drains, clear them and construct a metre-wide footpath over it.

Once the BMC got into action, the residents too stepped up their efforts.

“We have also hired people from a private agency for the maintenance of footpaths,” said Desai.

The association also got the Bombay high court to declare the area as a no-hawking zone.