May 2012 issue 

Civic Citadel

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also known as Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is the civic body that governs the city of Mumbai and is India’s richest municipal organisation. Its annual budget is even more than that of some of the small states of India. Established under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, it is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of Mumbai and its extended suburbs. Many great personalities who played an important role in shaping the destiny of India during the freedom movement have held the august office of the mayor at some point of time. OIOP May issue, Civic Citadel, is a Collector’s Item on BMC and it traces the history and evolution of the Corporation.

The lead article ‘Such a long journey’ is on the evolution of the BMC. The epoch-making Bombay Act of 1888 led to the creation of three co-ordinating authorities—the Municipal Corporation, the Standing Committee and the Municipal Commissioner. Dilip Chaware, veteran journalist who has covered state and national politics for over 35 years, delves into history to tell us how the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) evolved.

In ‘The Hall of Fame’, we have profiled a few stalwarts whose vision and contribution has made Mumbai the city of dreams.

Arthur Crawford was Bombay’s first Municipal Commissioner who did much for the city, using his dynamism and single-mindedness for the purpose. In her article ‘Arthur Crawford – Hero and Villain,’ Lina Mathias, Senior Assistant Editor, Economic and Political Weekly, gives an insight into the colourful record of this controversial figure.

In ‘A steady decline’ – P. K. Ravindranath, senior journalist, rues the deterioration in civic standards in the last three decades. Unless we find an army of selfless, devoted, public spirited young men to govern us, he feels there is no hope of redemption.

In his article ‘Bombay’s Birthday, Mumbai’s Future,’ S Shankar Menon, an IAS (retd.) officer and former Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra (1995-97), throws up a number of innovative ideas to have a corruption- free BMC in five years and elevate Mumbai to unprecedented stardom. Any takers?

In the article ‘Pipeline, lifeline,’ we look at the unique water supply system of Mumbai. Dense population and other issues have been a cause for water shortages in the city but with new schemes in the pipeline, this too might be a thing of the past, says Dilip Chaware.

The quality of health care provided by the municipal hospitals leaves much to be desired. In the article ‘A health check,’ Anuradha Dhareshwar, Associate Editor, One India One People, says that with a slew of new initiatives to bridge the gaps, the BMC hopes to upgrade its services.

Mangroves represent the spirit of Mumbai, says Bittu Sahgal, eminent environmentalist and Editor of Sanctuary Magazine in ‘Mangroves, Mumbai’s green armour’. They are without question plucky survivors that have managed to overcome toxic chemicals, heavy metals and human avarice. The unfortunate truth is that little do people understand just how important mangroves are to the quality of life of the citizens of Mumbai, he says.

Open spaces are the lungs of a city as it gives its residents a pollution-free place for rejuvenation and recreation. While these spaces in Mumbai are disappearing fast, it is heartening to note the work of civic activists and citizens to reclaim open spaces, writes Irene Lewis in ‘Let the city breathe’.

In the article, It’s in your hands - Dr. Akalpita Paranjpe, associated with various citizen forums like Mumbai 227, Freedom Team of India and Bharat Uday Mission, writes on how citizens’ forums can play a vital role in improving civic governance at the ward levels. 

While BEST’s bus service is one of the most affordable and reliable modes of commuting across the city, its round-the-clock electric supply at reasonable tariffs drives Mumbai’s swelling service sector. Dilip Chaware takes us through the history of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking in BEST’s ride to fame.

The May issue has three features in its Know India Better section.

In Mumbai: From Dreamy Isles to the Isle of Dreams, Akul Tripathi explores some of the less frequented places in the city. Walking across Mumbai, Akul Tripathi, media professional and travel writer discovers there is so much that he never knew about the city he was born in. He rides through the many 'rabbit holes of wonder' and pieces together how the destiny of seven small pieces of soil became the destiny of a billion people. He comes out surprised, addicted and in awe - his current quest over, but a journey that has just begun.

Resplendent heritage is about the architectural grandeur of the Brihanmumbai headquarters. The BMC Headquarters near the historic Victoria Terminus is one of the first imposing heritage structures visitors to Mumbai encounter. Designed by Fredrick Williams Stevens, the architecture of this building is in the Victorian Neo-Gothic style, though the minaret forms and bulbous dome were adapted to relate to Indian forms, write Abha Narain Lambah and Kruti Garg, conservation architects.

In ‘An icon of the colonial past’, Akul Tripathi visits the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghrahalay) to discover how Mumbai’s cradle of time is faring.

In ‘Face to Face’ Dilip Chaware interviews Johny Joseph, senior IAS officer who retired as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra on 30 November 2009. Mr. Joseph says, “Mumbai has unlimited potential, it only needs to be channelised.”

‘Great Indians’ profiles three icons whose contribution to Mumbai is incomparable

 

Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, The Lion of Bombay (1845-1915);

Nanasaheb V. Modak, Architect of modern Bombay (1889-1971)

and Sadashiv Kanoji Patil or S. K. Patil, The uncrowned king of Bombay (1898-1981).

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