Raging issues

According to many residents of Bandra, Khar and Santacruz, the crime rate has increased substantially over time. To ensure that the police's attention is pointed in this direction, a meeting was arranged recently between the residents and the police.

Wake Up Bandra, H/West Federation and Khar Residents Association collectively arranged the meeting, which was attended by DCP Satyanarayan Choudhary of Zone 9; D Bhargude, Senior Police Inspector of Khar police station; Padmakar Chavan, Senior Police Inspector of Santacruz police station; ACP Shivajirao Kolekar of Bandra division; Pradeep Chavan from the traffic department of Bandra division; along with a few officers from the H/west ward.

Locals of respective areas shared lists of crime-related, traffic-related and civic-related problems with the police officers. Anil Kakkad, President of Union Park Association, put forth his problems and shared, "There is lot of traffic and chaos near Union Park and Carter Road after midnight. At night, patrons who leave from popular eateries and pubs honk and make a lot of noise. This makes it especially difficult for senior citizens." Apart from Union Park, residents of Khar 20th Road, Murgan Chawl at 15th Road, Indra Narayan Road, Khar Danda and other places shared their list of crime-related issues, which include chain snatching, double parking, playing of loud music post 10 p.m. and more.
Vasudha, another ALM member, spoke about the problems near Khar Danda's Costa Coffee. She shared, "We have issues of illegally parked cars, double parking and honking in this area. The café allows parking of customers' cars on the road, narrowing it further."

Assuring relief to the locals, DCP Satyanarayan Choudhary of Zone 9, said, "We will verify and categorise the problems area-wise. The idea is to streamline these issues. We will certainly depute more patrolling vans and beat marshalls in these areas."