Thane is growing rapidly, and with growth comes responsibility - not only for authorities, but also for citizens. Across Ghodbunder Road, residents have experienced the daily challenges of traffic congestion, damaged roads, waterlogging, unsafe junctions, poor pedestrian infrastructure and other civic issues. Instead of limiting themselves to complaints within society WhatsApp groups, a group of citizens decided to come together and in a structured way, take their concerns directly to the authorities. With Mentoring by Lodha Splendora resident Pankaj Sinha, the Justice for Ghodbunder Road (JFGR) team has been working to bring residents together and convert individual complaints into collective civic action. The message is simple : one citizen raising an issue may be ignored, but hundreds of responsible citizens raising the same issue with facts, documentation and persistence can create pressure for action. As a Thane-based organisation, JFGR has demonstrated that citizens can play an important role in improving their neighbourhood - and by extension, the city and across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. From documenting civic problems to approaching government departments and continuously following up, the attempt is to create a culture where citizens don't simply complain—they participate. Based on JFGR’s track record over the past gew months, the learning for Thaneites is to replicate the JFGR model in their areas, and become part of the movement where one stops complaining and instead, approaches the right authorities to resolve the issues. If you live along Ghodbunder Road and have ever complained about traffic, roads, water, cleanliness, footpaths, streetlights or safety, the next step is simple: don't just complain. Join hands. Document the problem. Raise your voice. Follow up. “Thane belongs to all of us and improving it is also our collective responsibility,” concludes Mr Pankaj Sinha. From complaints to change: how Thaneites can make a difference Pankaj Sinha with JFGR representatives interacting with MLC Mr. Niranjan Davkhare, documenting issues on which the Hob’ble MLC has initiated follow-up with concerned departments
As a Thane-based organisation, JFGR has demonstrated that citizens can play an important role in improving their neighbourhood - and by extension, the city and across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. From documenting civic problems to approaching government departments and continuously following up, the attempt is to create a culture where citizens don't simply complain—they participate. Based on JFGR’s track record over the past gew months, the learning for Thaneites is to replicate the JFGR model in their areas, and become part of the movement where one stops complaining and instead, approaches the right authorities to resolve the issues. If you live along Ghodbunder Road and have ever complained about traffic, roads, water, cleanliness, footpaths, streetlights or safety, the next step is simple: don't just complain. Join hands. Document the problem. Raise your voice. Follow up. “Thane belongs to all of us and improving it is also our collective responsibility,” concludes Mr Pankaj Sinha.
