“More than any other time in history,” wrote Woody Allen, “mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.”
Like Allen, for the most part, Indian cities oscillate between general dysfunction and complete mayhem. Whoever wins the upcoming municipal elections for the MCD in Delhi and the BMC in Mumbai, the choice sadly will remain between these two unpalatable options.
Bad governance: Cause or effect?
It is often said that the Indian city is a mess because of a lack of effective governance. The converse is also true. The design of the Indian city, and its subsequent chaotic growth, itself creates flawed governance. Look anywhere and you will immediately be made aware of the strangulation and overlap of conflicting facilities.
● Residential colonies are densified without adequate addition of supporting utilities.
● Electric cables are stretched to provide loads to new – often illegal – settlements.
● Water mains are tapped for new construction without added supply or drainage.
● Parking is built on public sidewalks.
The incoherence of civic life refuses to align with accepted patterns of administration. In the end, any mapping of perennially changing neighbourhoods is not just difficult, but makes the task of creating an equitable area-wise policy near impossible.
Short-termism rules
Every few years, coincidentally just before elections – the FAR (floor area ratio) of residential areas is increased, slums are regularised, or upgraded; commercial and property tax defaulters are granted amnesty.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 18, 2022 من The Times of India Mumbai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 18, 2022 من The Times of India Mumbai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag
The federation said in a statement Sunday that it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”
Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight
What happens when kismet takes over the lives of two couples belonging to two different sections of society?
Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai
Arijit Singh casts a spell with his voice
ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Messi's Strike Rattles Mexico And Lusail, Brings Team Back From The Brink
Costa Rica come alive
Los Ticos Stun Japan With Late Fuller Winner
Morocco's moment under the sun
Inspired Atlas Lions Shock Belgium For First WC Win In 24 Years
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR
Athletics Icon Usha Set To Become First Woman President Of IOA
Industry body calls for slower rate hikes
CII Asks RBI To Moderate Pace Of Raising Repo As Global Woes May Impact Growth
Insurance reforms may see PE funding surge in sector
Irdai Raises Investment Cap, Allows PEs To Be Promoters
Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held
Iranian authorities have arrested a niece of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime”.