In an act that has raised many eyebrows in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MNS Corporator Sandip Deshpande has handed out a bizarre threat to a civic ward officer that he would “abduct” him if the latter did not fix potholes at Dadar (west) and neighbouring areas in north-central Mumbai.
In a letter written to G—North ward in—charge Ramakant Biradar last week, Deshpande warned the BMC officer that he would not be released till “every pothole” in his area were repaired.
The G-North Ward that covers Shivaji Park, Mahim, Dharavi, and Dadar (W) in north-central Mumbai.
In his letter, Deshpande warned G—North ward in—charge: “…If you don't respond, we will abduct you and hold you to ransom till the municipal commissioner doesn't repair the potholes. Take this letter seriously". Confirming that he had indeed written such a letter to the G-North ward in-charge, Deshpande said: “Yes, I have written a letter to the officer concerned and warned him that we would abduct him if the potholes in my area are not fixed immediately.
This is my way of telling the civic official to act fast”. In elaboration, Deshpande said: “I have been elected by people to voice their grievances. With roads ridden with potholes, pedestrians and motorists are having a tough time negotiating the roads these days. In my letter to Birardar, I have merely highlighted the grievances of the people in my ward. I stand by the contents of my letter”.
On his part, Biradar said he was addressing the issues raised by Deshpande in his letter on a top priority. “We are filling up the potholes in my ward on a top priority. Our officers are available in the office as well as in my ward area for over 14 hours a day for service,” the G-North ward officer said.
“Currently, there are very few potholes in Dadar area. I will not let the situation come to such a pass where the corporator will have to abduct me to have his grievances resolved. We are here to serve the people and are fixing the potholes,” Biradar said.