Our international airport and most iconic train station are named after Chhatrapati Shivaji, but this doesn’t seem enough. As people, we tend to idolize our past and neglect our present repeatedly. 3,600 crores is not a small amount of money in any currency for any city. Here are some alternate ways that money could be spent that might benefit our city more than a statue would.
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Road Repairs
The number of manholes/potholes/ditches/broken speed breakers that grace our roads is staggering. ISRO was able to send satellites into space for a fraction of the cost that NASA could, and that is impressive. Therefore it must be possible for our government to recruit people that are able to create anti-theft mechanisms for manhole covers? Or figure out a way to make manhole covers from materials that are unlikely to be stolen? It’s a big task to take on, but sounds like 3,600 crores is a decent kitty to invest in a little R&D.
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Slum Rehabilitation
Perhaps there could be a time in the history of this city, where landing into our brilliant airport doesn’t feel like landing directly into the slums. Even though 3,600 crores may not be enough to tackle a large number of slums that make up this city, it could at least be a start. Flimsy buildings made with asbestos and aluminum sheets are poor excuses for rehabilitation, but an organization that discusses and puts into effect new and fair set of rules to rehabilitate and provide homes for the millions that live in slums, could be a good way to spend taxpayer money.
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Flesh Trade Abolishment
A majority of our nation worships female gods and deities, we have had female leaders in almost all positions of government, and despite this, we have rampant flesh trade and prostitution nationwide. Here in Mumbai, Kamathipura and many other pockets are hubs for sex trade, where sex workers are denied access to healthcare, childcare and safety. On one hand we have “ moral police” who try and restrict citizens in nightclubs, bars and even shopping malls from living their lives but on the other hand, no one wants to address the problem of prostitution. Rape culture in India is a product of deep-rooted misogyny, and prostitution is just one part of the problem. We need more efficient sex education at every level, so that people can be made aware of the difference between sex and rape, the importance of consent and safe sex. If sex work cannot be eradicated, we at least need to differentiate between workers who elect to do so from those that are forced into it, and all these workers need to have access to healthcare. Sounds like an expensive task, maybe 3,600 crores is the magic number needed to combat the issue.
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Replenishing our Fire Dept
A congested city like ours is always battling with infrastructure damage and other issues for which we heavily rely on our fire department. Not only are they underpaid for their tireless service; they often don’t have the equipment and gear they need to carry out their operations. Let’s take a minute to consider how many top-of-the-line uniforms and fire engines 3,600 crores could buy.
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Empowering our police force
Our police force is grossly underpaid, and it’s embarrassing that a hundred-rupee bribe is all it takes to sometimes get out of paying a fine. Not to say that increased salaries may wipe out bribes all together, but it can’t be denied that people that are well paid are less likely to seek bribes. Maybe an overdue appraisal for our law enforcement will be a good way to spend the money.
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Homeless Shelters
Not too long ago, some officials did declare Mumbai to be “open defecation free” and that is as incredible as it is ignorant. Considering scores of people live on our streets, that is just not a possibility. If people live in the open due to homelessness how is it possible that they are able to access indoor facilities to relieve themselves? The number of homeless people (not including slums) that dwell in our city is staggering, to create a housing plan for these underprivileged people might be a good use of time, effort and money.
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Facilities for the specially-abled
Public places and transport that most of us take for granted are not accessible to people that are differently abled. To make train stations, cinemas, shopping malls, colleges and other public spaces more accessible to everyone might be a good use of 3,600 crores.
8. Crisis Management
Aside from natural disasters, our city has been prone to repeated man-made disasters such as terror attacks and the very recent stampede at Elphinstone station. We know the helplines for the police, but can the police alone manage dozens of people, provide transport, chase aggressors and alert medical teams all at once? Maybe a city as densely populated as ours needs a crisis management division that can aid the police and citizens when they need it the most.
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Legal Aid
Most people that cannot afford legal counsel turn to NGO’s and non-profits to seek help and advice. Since we do seem to have a disposable sum of 3600 crores that can be used to construct a statue, maybe we can divert those funds to instead help create an organization that women and men can access to seek legal help that they cannot otherwise afford. In a country where court cases go on for years at an end, even people with resources struggle to pay their bills for legal representation. 3,600 crores would certainly ease the burden. Then people will not have to turn to NGO’s for services the government should be able to provide.
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Railway Stations
The British originally set up Mumbai’s railway system, and the local trains in Mumbai are the oldest in Asia. Millions of residents rely on the trains to commute to work every day, and despite this, little has been done to maintain and improve our existing trains and stations. The recent stampede at Elphinstone station proved that the infrastructure is not meeting the city’s needs and that there is no guarantee that the horror will not be repeated. Maybe the 3,600 crores could be used to repair and build FOB’s and widen station platforms to avoid future deaths.
Aside from these, there are surely dozens of other things ( Scholarships? Healthcare? Wildlife conservation? Restoring heritage buildings?) that might be a better use of our taxpayer money. Mumbai is an insane blend of good and bad, rich and poor, inspiring and embarrassing. Hopefully, we learn to prioritize our present needs before paying homage to our past.
