November 24, 2025: Residents of JB Colony and Sundar Lane in Malad West have taken matters into their own hands after months of frustration over incessantly rattling manhole lids. For several months, locals had complained that loose lids were creating loud clanking sounds every time vehicles passed over them—an issue that became especially unbearable at night. Despite repeated calls and visits to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), residents say no meaningful action was taken.
“We approached our P North ward office several times. They kept saying that they did not have a solution. They just ignored our complaints, and we were left with a severe noise problem, especially at night,” said resident Wanda Fernandes. Others claimed officials even cited lack of funds. “When ward officials revealed they had no intention to come up with a solution due to a lack of funds, we started feeling helpless,” said Joe Canute of Spring Field 1.
The breakthrough came when resident Ronnie D’Souza proposed an improvised solution: inserting discarded rubber cycle tubes between the road surface and the loose lids. He said the idea emerged after discussing the problem with contractors and engineers. “After trying it out, to our surprise, it worked wonders. The measure not only reduced the noise, but also almost eliminated it,” D’Souza explained.
Residents pooled in to hire daily-wage labourers, muffling 10–12 manhole lids across the lane. The result has been immediate relief. “We can now sleep peacefully at night, and our elders will not get startled by loud noises,” Fernandes said.
Others pointed out that such a simple fix could have easily been implemented by the authorities. “They just lack the will to help residents,” said Capt Clinton Mukadam, noting that the tubes used were waste materials and cost nothing.
D’Souza added, “We, as citizens, should equally be responsible and not always rely solely on the BMC, police, and politicians to get our work done.”
Source: Mid-day
