A Vashi resident’s persistence forced swift action from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) after local officials failed to address a hazardous open nullah near the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi. The issue, initially ignored at the ward level, was resolved within a day after she escalated it to Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde via WhatsApp.
Madhu Shankar, a resident of Vashi, had visited the APMC market to buy household items when she noticed a dangerously open nullah near an under-construction drainage system. The site lacked barricades, and the opening was large enough for multiple people to fall in at once.
Concerned about public safety, she promptly alerted the local ward office and even shared a photo of the hazard. However, officials dismissed her concern and directed her to another officer. When she contacted him, he refused to take responsibility, claiming the area was outside his jurisdiction.
Frustrated by the inaction, Shankar decided to escalate the issue. That evening, she sent a WhatsApp message directly to NMMC Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde. “The commissioner immediately took the issue seriously, instructed his team, and ensured action was taken,” she said.
Within two hours, the same official who had previously declined responsibility called her back, informing her that barricades were being installed as a safety measure. By the following afternoon, the nullah was fully covered, and the official confirmed the work’s completion.
Shankar stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “An accident could have been fatal. Unfortunately, local officials ignored a genuine concern, but I appreciate the municipal commissioner’s prompt action.”
Her persistence serves as a reminder that citizen vigilance can make a difference—even when local authorities are slow to respond.
