From draft to smart, cities we’re awaiting
This refers to the report, ‘Govt clears air on draft concept of smart cities’ (September 13). The urban development minister has said that smart city means making urban life comfortable and improved living standards. Will Mumbai ever become a smart city or for that matter, any city in India? Ask any Mumbaikar and the answer will be in the negative. Mumbai roads have potholes and people travel like sardines in local trains. More than half of the population lives in slums, and these numbers will increase due to unaffordable real estate prices. Even educated people having well-paid jobs live in slums. Health care in government-run hospitals is pathetic and even in private hospitals, patients are fleeced due to unnecessary medical tests. The concept of smart cities should also include parks,cycle tracks and jogging trails. Mumbai needs a Lodhi Gardens, like in Delhi. A stroll into Lodhi Gardens takes one to a different world. Where are the footpaths in Mumbai? A smart city should have footpaths for pedestrians alone. Smart cities would also have earthquake-resistant buildings and infratstructure, like flyovers.
Deendayal M Lulla Kalyan’s Doodh Naka
vendors milking it
Milk sold at Doodh Naka in Kalyan (West) has lost its reputation for quality. Until a few years ago, milk purchased from here was considered to be the best. And despite the deterioration in quality, this milk was being sold at the rate of Rs 48 to Rs 52 per litre and in recent months, the price has shot up to Rs 60 a litre, making it a luxury for the common man.
Aren’t there any controls on milk vendors over pricing? They seem to sell it at any price they want. One will still buy the milk if it is absolutely necessary, but it is an injustice to pay so much for a poor quality product. If milk vendors wish to charge exorbitant prices, they must also provide a good quality product.
Sridhar V Kulkarni
Customer comes last
A friend of mine purchased a Karbonn mobile and after a week, had a problem with it, so he took it to the dealer, who referred him to the service centre at Dreams Mall, Bhandup, Mumbai. The service centre said it was a battery problem and the mobile set was perfectly okay. So he took it to the dealer and had the battery changed, paying for a new battery, but the problem persisted. The service centre rechecked it and said it had fixed the problem. After a week, the problem resurfaced and this time, the service centre said another battery replacement was called for. Finally, after consulting the dealer and arguing with the service centre, my friend was told to scrap the mobile and buy a new one, as there was nothing they could do. It was recommended that the defective product be shipped to the company. The company’s headquarters are in Delhi and this seems to be a delaying tactic. The service centre says its job is only to service the product and the dealer says his job is only to sell. What does a consumer needing customer service do?
Sali Fernando, sal ming
Demand for BEST No 234
The frequency of BEST bus route no. 234 from Jogeshwari West Depot to Versova – Yari Road Bus Depot should be increased as the current frequency is very limited, leading to crowded buses and a waiting time of more than a half hour. This route is basically used by school-going children and office-goers wanting to reach Jogeshwari station during peak hours.
Mansoor Umer Darvesh,
Jogeshwari
Letters for this column may be sent to fpjcity@gmail.com or they could be posted to Vox Populi, The Free Press Journal, Free Press House, Free Press Marg, 215 Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021. Fax: 22874688.
