Vasai: Most Mumbaikars are fixated on posh areas like Worli, Churchgate, Nariman Point, Colaba, Banda, but Military Road, off Maroshi, at Marol, in Andheri (E) has shown of how collective efforts by middle class residents can transform a locality into an envious zone. Once upon a time, Military Road was a single lane, poorly lit thoroughfare with few houses and fewer shops. The oldest housing colony of Marol is a group of 11 buildings was built here by E S Andrades called Blossom Society, and its first occupants arrived here in 1968. However, for many years, very little had changed. Later on, even its famous landmarks like Borosil glass factory and Raj oil mill became abandoned structures shrouded in darkness as the evening sun set in, giving passers by a creepy feeling. Like other parts of Mumbai, things changed from 1980 onwards with offices, supermarkets, housing complexes and public conveniences taking the place of old structures.
A four-lane road replaced the country lane. Borosil was redeveloped into Vasant Oasis and Raj Paradise stands in the place of the old mill. But what makes this area stand out are the activities of Military Road Residents Welfare Association (MRRWA), which since its inception in 1999, has functioned as an advanced locality management group and welfare society. With untiring dedication and perseverance, members transformed the area into a clean neighbourhood. Initially, there were eight garbage dumps along the road which were not only eyesores but also health hazards. The MRRWA eliminated all these and initiated door-to-door collection with segregation of wastes as per municipal norms.
It periodically organised cleanliness drives with the help of BMC, and residents were encouraged to take to the streets to tidy up the area. Bharat Van was once an abandoned quarry and barren land. Residents knew for sure that this place could have been turned into a hub for illegal activities, or end up with festering slums, if no preemptive action was taken. Foreseeing these dangers, MRRWA drew up a plan to create a public garden. On October 2, 1999, after the first sapling was planted, with painstaking efforts a garden was nurtured. Today, it is a beautiful place with shady trees, playground, amphitheater, and other facilities like wellness classes for yoga, martial arts, dance workshops and cultural activities. This year, from March 25 to 29, MRRWAA sponsored a street festival, which saw women artists, not only from all over the country, but also from overseas, participating. They painted graffiti on the walls of Bharat Van and other society buildings along the Military Road and gave a taste of this art to its residents.
As part of this festival residents joined in as waste warriors and went on a garbage collection spree which brought all sections of the society together and created an awareness on cleanliness. The Mithi river which crosses under the Military Road was rid of all its plastic garbage. MRRWA has a laughter club, which is one of the most popular laughter clubs in the city, and they have spread happiness and positivity in old age homes and hospitals. It also has a ladies group who have been teaching slum children for over ten years. It regularly engages with elected representatives, police department and municipal offices whenever and wherever required and keep on following up till the desired results are materialized, and now the road, footpath and bridge have been relaid and concreted. Though it is only a micro effort in a corner of the city, yet Military Road has shown the way of how citizen efforts if multiplied all over this metropolis can transform Slumbai into a desirable neighbourhood.
