Fenil and Bollywood

Mumbai:Vishal Dadlani (of the Vishal-Shekhar music duo) has a major grouse. The singer-composer is appalled by the civic apathy in the area he resides. Two months ago he shifted to Khar-Danda Road from Pali Hill. The area has a severe drainage problem due to the uncleared mounds of garbage on the road.

As a concerned and conscientious citizen, the Om Shanti Om composer has alerted the cops, the civic ward office as well as the local municipal corporators.

Can’t live immune

“Due to my music commitments, I do not have time to do the rounds of the concerned authorities. But I have done my bit. I cannot live immune to all this nor do I want to. It’s my job to alert the concerned people about the wrong doings in the area.”

He adds, “The area near Chuim village is full of illegal vegetable vendors who dump the garbage and rotten vegetables on the road. This is the main cause of the choked drainage system. Moreover, there are cartloads of brick and cement that are parked blocking the road. It is a nuisance for the residents.”

Short-lived solution

In the past, the cops have swung into action and cleared the road of the illegal hawkers. “But the next day, they are back in action,” moans Dadlani.

The recent downpour has only worsened the situation. “The area has to be cleared immediately. I am doing this on my own. If any of the other residents of the area want to join in, it would make for a more concerted action. But one thing is for sure I won’t take this lying down. Things have to improve and we have to raise our voice,” adds Dadlani, whose next musical score is in Sujoy Ghosh’s Aladin.

MID-DAY