"NO"..."no"..."NO"....grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Since the Tariff rates of Taxi and Rickshaws in Mumbai have increased these guys have stopped driving but started flying...I fail to understand them completely, I mean they neither want to go anywhere close by nor too far...I don't know how these guys earn their daily bingo because all they say is "NO" "no" "NO"... Sometimes we look like those beggars on the streets the only difference is they pleading for money and we plead for a rick/taxi yet you hear is big "NO"..catching a train or waiting for a bus is better but taking a taxi or rickshaw now a days is task...

But I learnt something today...as I got off at Vikroli station (i.e. Central Mumbai). At the rickshaw stand as always they had their tantrums.But one healthy guy from these rickshaw-wala got off his rick and made people stand in a queue and told everyone not to mention our destination just sit and till you reach some particular junction then mention your way or else none of these people would entertain you.WEIRD! but it actually worked and the best part is the driver said nothing and I reached happily without cribbing.So I thought we all should make a THUMB-RULE  to get our way out of this "NO" business.As that healthy rickshaw guy said just directly SIT & STICK  and later mention your destination. If we start doing this, then probably their tantrums reduce and it works for our good. What say?

Mumbai Congestion

Mumbai, the financial capital of India is over populated and to manage mobility within the city is a huge task on the administration that is grappling with traffic congestion and health hazards from pollution. The Government of Maharashtra is urgently catering to relieve the traffic issues that plague the streets. MSDC was given the task of improving the current traffic conditions. Their aim is to alleviate the traffic congestion in the city of Mumbai by constructing 50 flyovers. The basic purpose of the flyover is to ease the traffic and the attempt to maintain and reduce the congestion at key junctions, but the fact is, there is, NO change! No matter what the Government does we still are facing the same problem.


Lets take an example of J.J flyover, it was built 2.4 km long so as to reduce the traffic jam not only above the flyover but also below it. The travel time after using the flyover reduces from 30 min to 5 min. Commendable! But what happened below the flyover is tale. The B.M.C appointed contractors to allow parking not just below the flyover but also both the sides of the footpath. The road from V.T. station to J.J. hospital is a narrow road plus vehicles parked on the road makes traffic jam a natural consequence. Never the less the Mumbaikars face one problem every monsoon. Yes, your guess is right , "Potholes" the miserable state of Mumbai's roads. The city is filled with bumpy roads and media gets new Breaking News to flash and make it disastrous. New flyovers built are studded with potholes and the highways sometimes look like someone actually went and manually dug the road. That bad. B.M.C's promises get washed out everyyear along with the rain. Out of frustration people in Mumbai are not following the traffic rules and lane discipline which worsen the traffic condition.



To start with let’s explore the key causes of traffic congestion in Mumbai

- The city has public transportation system like public buses and trains but due to less frequency these sources of transport are so crowded that there is an increase in private vehicles & rickshaws.

- Due to lack of driving discipline the ratio of traffic is much more and there are lots of Accidents which causes death for no reason.

- Potholes/ Under Construction activities & repairs

- Parking



What is the solution for a city like Mumbai to manage the growing pressure on congestion?

- Increase in the frequency of BEST buses and trains which will help reducing crowd and it will be more user friendly for people to use these sources of transportation instead of private vehicles & rickshaws.

-Rickshaw stands at designated areas and call-for-rickshaw facility.

- All road maintenance and repair work should be done at night time.

- Station roads should be one way

-Penalize transportation trucks on busy lanes during peak hours

- Enforce lane discipline

And last but not the least, we as pedestrians should start using footpaths & sidewalks. The footpaths are well constructed, still people choose to walk on the road and do not move unless they are forced to, using HORNS which not just increase noise pollution but also gets on people's mind and create nuisance.So we as "Mumbaikars" with a little effort, do our duties will make Mumbai a better place to live.

Ganpati

Ganesha , the elephant-headed son of  Lord Shiva and Parvati, who is believed by all his devotees and worshiped in every way. This colorful festival is celebrated with a tradition of  joy where no cast and no religion matters as Lokmanya Tilak recognized the wide appeal of the deity Ganesha as "the god for everybody". The sight of the crowded streets lit up beautifully where night also feels like day, the different Ganesh images and the happy people is an amazing spectacle. People believe He is the giver of fortune and can help to avoid natural calamities.

 But He will only be able to help us to avoid natural calamities if we people take an initiative to get a change.One of the major environmental impact during Ganesh Festival is due to idols made of PLASTER OF PARIS which is immersed in lakes, rivers and sea. During the process dissolution plaster releases toxic elements into the water body.So if we think over it, on the final day of procession we immerse infinite Ganpati idols which increases the level of acidity in the water and leads to so many disasters and diseases which we all cannot think of.By this I don't at all mean to say, to stop worshiping idols but definitely use natural clay.  Though plaster is easy to mold and is less expensive but not at the cost of destroying nature.
 

This definitely leads to an argument that so many other things need to be controlled, why target religious aspects? But I feel if we get some change for the better and can be conveyed through religion which will be ideal for people to understand and nurture this thought.