Pothole-free roads are for everyone, not just VIPs
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) today, a massive beautification and security drive has been launched across Ulwe and adjoining areas. From road resurfacing and illegal encroachment demolitions to round-the-clock security checks by the Central Industrial Security Force, every department was in overdrive.
On Saturday, dambar work (asphalt resurfacing) was carried out near the NMIA entrance gate and adjoining service roads. A worker even said that since Modi is coming, everything has to look clean and perfect. They were instructed to ensure there were no potholes or dust near the VIP route.
This raises an important question: why should such drives only happen during high-profile visits? Are taxpayers not equal stakeholders in the city and country? Their lives are as valuable as others, so they deserve to be treated on par.
It is shocking to see that workers were specifically instructed to ensure there were no potholes on a VIP road. Does one then assume that non-VIPs are expected to navigate pothole-ridden roads? Why is the same speed and urgency not shown throughout the year for the very people who put these leaders in their chairs?
We urge the leaders themselves to ask these uncomfortable questions and seek answers. They should hold those in charge of civic work accountable and question why these improvements happen only for VIPs and not for the general public.
Feigning ignorance, citing busy schedules, or leaving responsibility to lesser officials is no longer acceptable. If the high and mighty raise their voices for this cause, real change will follow.
When we talk about ground-level transformation, this is literally ground level. During ribbon cuttings and similar events, if citizens bring these issues to the notice of those responsible and demand consistent action, we will see a city that truly serves its first among equals—the citizens.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/pothole-free-roads-are-for-everyone-not-just-vips-23597681
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