In the face of govt apathy, Malwani becomes a hotbed of disorder and disease

Malwani, Mumbai's second biggest slum, is becoming a hotbed of potentially fatal issues. After over 100 deaths in the recent hooch tragedy, four leptospirosis deaths have been reported from the area. With at least a dozen patients taking treatment for leptospirosis, the disease is tightening its grip over the area. This is because of poor sanitation facilities. The BMC does not provide any services in private slums which are growing each day.

Social activists closely working with the people in the area cite several reasons for the existing situation. The socio-economic condition of the poverty-stricken residents, compounded with illiteracy, poor civic sense, lack of toilet facilities, lack of sewerage lines, as well as lack of storm water drainage system, and lack of garbage lifting services, translate into an unbroken loop of disorder and disease. This, despite the fact that local leaders and social activists have repeatedly represented the case of Malwani area in the BMC, asking that it be treated along the lines of Dharavi, and a cluster development plan be floated for it.

If one takes a walk through the congested areas of Azmi Nagar, Inaswadi, and Ambujwadi, one sees puddles of stagnant water, which exist because there are no storm water drain outlets. One encounters open defecation. The rodents scurrying through heaps of stinking garbage, too, are plainly visible. Kids, oblivious to the unhygienic surroundings, play in the narrow lanes. Their parents, who have poor knowledge of hygiene, let them play there.

This year, the civic health department has recorded 12 deaths because of leptospirosis so far. At least four of these deaths were recorded in Malwani. According to civic activists from the area, at least a dozen leptospirosis patients are taking treatment in the civic-run Kandivali Shatabdi Hospital.

Neither the state Government nor the BMC have come forward to control the situation, because most of the slums are illegal- these unauthorised structures are either built on the Collector's land or on private plots. Slumlords sell small shanties to vulnerable immigrants who have no other option for shelter in the city. Malwani's population is about 2.50 lakh. The voters' list shows 1.60 lakh. Each day, at least 50 to 100 people move into the already congested area.

Mohd Arif Qureshi, a social worker associated with the local MLA Aslam Shaikh, criticises the civic authorities for not lifting garbage, even in the areas where it should be providing services. "There are no drainage outlets in the area. Water puddles remain there for weeks and the muck finally dries up on it's own, but not before spreading disease. We call for fogging and spraying anti-mosquito pesticides, but the expanse of the area is so vast. Gastroenteritis, fever, malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis are common diseases here," said Qureshi.

Noella Varela, General Secretary, Vision Foundation, said that poverty and illiteracy are the root causes of the situation. "While our NGO works towards empowering women financially, we also try to ensure that each child reaches school. We try to spread awareness about cleanliness and personal hygiene through women and children. But, due to lack of civic services, all our efforts yield no desired effects," said Varela.

Aslam Shaikh, the MLA from the area, said that it is high time that the state government and the BMC declare the area as a slum. "For the past two years, I have put up proposals asking the state and BMC authorities for their approval to designate the areas as slums. This will help the residents to get better civic services and sanitation facilities", said Shaikh

Devendra Jain, Assistant Commissioner of P/North ward, claimed that sweeping services have been introduced in most of the areas. He said that toilet facilities and water supply, though, cannot be given to the encroachments. "We are trying to provide sweeping and garbage-lifting facilities in most areas. But civic services cannot be provided beyond our jurisdiction. The encroachment is on Collector's land and even on private MHADA plots. The state authorities will have to act on this immediately," said Jain.