Hepzi Anthony Citizen Matters

Despite hundreds of crores spent on desilting, why Mumbai could still see flooding this monsoon

June 24, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

A BMC press note assures citizens of corrective action taken in 169 flood-prone spots and ongoing work at 43 spots, but what Mumbai really needs is sustained, hydrology-based water bodies management.

What’s that drone over Thane doing during the lockdown? It’s saving forests

June 4, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

In Maharashtra’s urban forests, such as Yeoor forest in Thane district, drones are helping forest patrol teams detect and crack down on encroachment attempts.

Why Shramik trains and other promises have brought little cheer to Mumbai’s migrant workers

May 5, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai has an estimated 3 million migrant workers. Even if the railways ferry about 2400 people in two trains per day, it will take a couple of months to transport them back home.

Lack of safety gear, harsh working conditions and no support: Who will hear the voices of Mumbai’s nurses?

April 14, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Over 90 health care workers, including nurses and doctors, have tested positive in Mumbai with an additional 150-200 nurses under quarantine. The United Nurses Association has moved the SC seeking mandatory protection kit for all health care workers in isolation wards.

Mumbai: Harsh measures taken, as coronavirus spreads to the slums

April 1, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai’s health officials are working on a war footing to ensure containment of the virus by creating containment zones and sanitising entire localities besides extensive screening. But they face a humongous task.

Low-cost housing crunch in Mumbai: Is the state to blame?

February 28, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the state’s nodal agency for public housing provision, is no longer able to build and sell houses at affordable rates. Many blame the tweaks in government policies that conveniently favour the corporate builders’ lobby.

Scant hope for ‘housing for all’ within Mumbai city

February 27, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Lack of public housing for low and middle income families has left them with few options in the city. They are forced to move to the peripheries, which lack physical and social infrastructure. Meanwhile, of 193 affordable housing projects listed, only four, including three slum redevelopment projects, are planned for Mumbai city itself.

Will congestion pricing help Mumbaikars add an hour and a half to their day?

January 28, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

A year-long survey done in 2019 conducted by ITDP found that Mumbaikars spent an average of 85 minutes daily stuck in traffic. That also means an estimated productivity loss of over Rs 3600 crores per annum. Is congestion pricing the solution?

Mumbai’s housing conundrum: Unsold houses, sky-high prices

January 11, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

6.48 lakh houses remained unsold across India’s top seven cities in 2019, and Mumbai alone accounted for nearly a third of these. Yet scarcity of affordable housing pushes people further and further away from the city. What could explain this?

Heavy hearts, angry questions as Mumbai prepares to phase out double-decker buses

December 26, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Running the iconic and popular double decker buses is economically unviable, says BEST. Activists, however, question the transport utility’s myopic approach and the wisdom of phasing out a service that holds such a special place in the hearts of Mumbaikars.

Despite CM Uddhav Thackeray’s support, fight to save Aarey far from over

December 2, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Shortly after taking charge, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced a stay on the metro car shed project in the forest land, but that is just one of the many projects planned. Some of these are even known to have enjoyed Shiv Sena support in the past. What, then, could be the future of Aarey?

Why Mumbai is not excited about the proposed transplantation of 5000 trees

November 10, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai faces transplantation of about 5000 trees to compensate for the loss of tree cover due to various Metro projects across the city. Yet, environmentalists have little hope as 56% of the trees transplanted in the city since 2017 have failed to survive the relocation.

Why the Bombay High Court had to don Mumbai tree panel’s hat

September 4, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai’s Tree Authority had for long led a quiet existence, issuing permissions without fuss to cut trees to make way for the city’s rapid urbanization. People are now looking up to the courts as a last resort to save the green cover of the city.

Why Mumbaikars are getting angrier about tree felling

July 16, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Around 500 people from different walks gathered at a public hearing on July 8th to raise their voices against the proposed felling of 2702 trees in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony. This is just the most recent example of growing citizen engagement and efforts to save the green cover of the city.

In the news for heavy rains every year, why is Mumbai still water-deficient?

April 6, 2019 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai currently sources 3.8 billion litres of water per day from seven dams built over lakes in neighbouring districts. It is also familiar with seasonal water cuts. But why does a city with abundant monsoons and flooding every year have such unstable water supply?