30 neighbours have shared what matters to them — in their own words.
“Every time we go to the market, we bring Kesar mangoes from there. They are very tasty. But some people say that they are ripened by adding chemicals. That's why we prefer naturally ripened mangoes because they are good for health.”
Nearby, citizens express significant concerns across several critical areas. Many reports highlight extreme heat, causing discomfort, power cuts, and severe water scarcity due to drying wells and delayed monsoons 💧. Residents are also grappling with soaring fuel and LPG prices and shortages, directly impacting household budgets. Issues with mango quality, including spongy tissue from high temperatures and concerns about chemical ripening, are also prevalent. Furthermore, while new infrastructure is developing, there are frustrations regarding the stagnation of older neighborhoods and significant environmental degradation from unchecked construction and deforestation. However, the community demonstrates resilience, with individuals employing various community solutions like traditional cooking methods, careful resource management, and personal strategies to cope with heat and rising costs. Positive observations include excitement for new infrastructure projects like the Atal Setu bridge and instances of manageable traffic despite heavy rains 🛣️. These insights underscore a public desire for balanced, sustainable development and effective resource management 💡.
“The heat was very strong this summer. I felt tired and sweaty whenever I went outside. The afternoons were especially very hot and it was difficult to stay outside for a long time. Because of the heat, I tried to finish my work in the morning or evening. I drink more water everyday and eat fruits like watermelon and cucumber. I also wear light cotton clothes and use a fan to stay cool. These things help me deal with the heat during summers.”
“The higher fuel prices have affected our daily life. The cost of travel and many household items has increased. We now spend more money than before for our daily needs. To save money, we try to avoid unnecessary trips and plan our work carefully. We also use LPG carefully and avoid wasting gas while cooking. This small change helps us manage the rising costs.”
“In our locality, Alphonso mangoes are very popular. We buy them every summer season because they are sweet, tasty, and have a nice smell. Many people enjoy eating them with their families during this mango season. But during this summer, due to high temperatures, spongy tissue is seen in the mango. Means the mango may look perfectly normal from the outside, but the affected portion inside is not pleasant to taste or smell. But even somehow, people still like to buy good quality Alphonso, even if it's expensive, because of their sweetness and juiciness.”
“There is a very big shortage of gas in our rural areas. Because of this, we have to work very hard to manage household expenses. Due to the increase in gas prices, we cook on a traditional stove (chulha). We bring fuel from the farm and cook on a chulha. And because the prices of fuel have also increased, we travel on foot.”
“In our region, Daseri and Langda mangoes are very popular. People eat them with pleasure, and these mangoes are sweet and juicy to eat. The mango quality was also good, and the mangoes coming to our market looked fresh and good. As soon as summer started, mangoes were brought into every house. Mango pulp is given as a special dish to new guests, and this time the price of mangoes was a bit high, but people were still buying mangoes. Everyone from small children to adults liked mangoes. Overall, this year's mango season went well.”
“Yes, this has affected us. In our village, sometimes gas cylinders are not available on time. Also, gas prices have increased a lot, due to which household expenses have risen. So, we use gas sparingly. We cook as much as possible on a stove and only light the gas when there is a great need. The wood obtained from the fields or cow dung cakes are very useful. This saves gas and reduces the stress of increased expenses a little. In this way, we manage this difficulty.”
“This year, it was very hot in our village. Especially during the afternoon, the sun was very intense. Due to the heat, it became difficult to do household chores. There were also frequent power cuts in our village, which caused us a lot of trouble. Many wells in our village also dry up during the summers, so there's a big problem with water. Many times, we have to go far to fetch water. To stay cool, we used to drink cold water from earthen pots. We also had to do farm work only from 5 AM to 10 AM, as it wasn't possible to work in the intense afternoon sun. To keep the house a bit cool, we put tree branches on the roof. This reduces direct sunlight and makes the house feel a bit cooler. This is how we cope with the heat.”
“This year our village experienced extreme heat. Especially during the afternoon, the sun was very strong. Due to the heat, it became difficult to do household chores. Power outages were also very frequent in our village, which caused us a lot of trouble. Many wells in our village also dry up in summer, so there is a big problem with water. Many times we have to go far for water. To stay cool, we used to drink cold water from earthen pots. We also had to do farm work only from 5 AM to 10 AM, as it was not possible to work in the scorching afternoon sun. To keep the house a bit cool, we put tree branches on the roof. This reduces direct sunlight and makes the house feel a bit cooler. This is how we cope with the heat.”
“You should have come here a day earlier. This old Porter Road is the same. The same godowns and everything. Uh and same conditions. Nothing has improved. Even though new highways and everything has been built, the godown and neighboring area are the same.”
“We are Telugu people. We are looking for work here. We are looking for jobs like cleaning, rice cleaning, agriculture, etc. Please let us know if you have any.”
“It's been raining a lot here in Bombay, but uh traffic is still manageable and everything, and it's moving pretty smoothly.”
“Hello.”
“Response 1 – Sourabh "I live in Aundh. In our area, the most popular mango varieties are Hapus and Kesar. This season the quality is average. I bought some from the Sunday market two weeks ago. Some were sweet but many were fibrous. Last year I bought a full crate and everyone liked them. This year prices are high, so I am buying less." Response 2 – Madhavi "I live in Kothrud and have a 9-5 job. In our area, Hapus and Kesar are the most popular. This season the quality is not very good. I buy mangoes after work from the shop near my society. Last week they were fibrous so I had to add extra sugar in aamras. Prices are higher this year." Response 3 – Abhishek "I live in Yerwada and work night shift at the airport mall. Here Hapus and Kesar are very popular. This season mangoes are not that good. I buy them in the evening before work. Last week they tasted sour. My wife made pickle instead of eating fresh. We are buying less because of high price."”
“Response 1 – Sourabh"Yes, we had LPG shortage last month. Had to wait extra days for the cylinder. For fuel costs, I use company cab more and bike less. I also use electric stove for tea and small cooking."Response 2 – Madhavi"We faced LPG shortage. Had to order food from outside for two days. For rising fuel costs, I share auto to office and reduced AC use at home. Everything is expensive now."Response 3 – Abhishek"Yes, LPG was delayed many days. My mum had trouble cooking. For fuel costs, I use bike less and take public trasport. We are cooking simpler food to save gas."”
“Response 1 – Sourabh "I live in Aundh. This summer is very hot. Even mornings feel like an oven. I feel tired by afternoon at work. One day the power went off and it was unbearable. To deal with the heat, I drink lots of water and buttermilk. I stay inside with AC and go out only early morning or evening." Response 2 – Madhavi "I live in Kothrud and have a 9-5 job. This summer is extremely hot. Travelling to office is very difficult. I feel sweaty and tired all the time. To deal with the heat, I carry water bottle, wear cotton clothes, and take cold showers after work. I also eat more watermelon and cucumber." Response 3 – Abhishek "I live in Yerwada and work night shift. This summer is very bad. Daytime sleeping is hard because of the heat. I get headaches often. To deal with it, I use a cooler, put wet cloth on head, and drink lots of cold water at work. I take breaks in AC areas of the mall."”
“Monsoon rains have not arrived. It's usually come by June 7, but there are not even clouds right now. With a 65% rainfall deficit being predicted, we don't know if even in the next two weeks any rains will come.”
“There are kilometers and kilometers of these roads, but there are no public restroom services anywhere. How are women going to live in this city or work with dignity? At least public restrooms should be developed.”
“Going to take the Atal Setu bridge which has been kilometers and kilometers of this bridge on top of the ocean. So excited for it.”
“This is too late for the monsoons to arrive. This is a dangerous trend. If the 65% failure that has been predicted for monsoons becomes a reality, have you thought about the impact on the environment? With so many cities dependent on fresh water, it's going to be a catastrophe. Plus, the government is on rampage cutting environment, cutting trees to build different more buildings and like, you know, factories, etc. Uh, so without trees and everything, how is the system going to work? Plus these global wars, bombs. So just like it's what is what we are doing to the environment is completely unpredictable and the most valuable resources we have of natural climate cycles are being completely disrupted, which is a very dangerous situation we are in. So it all depends on if we get rain this time or not.”
“Hello, reporting a lot of infrastructure building and everything here in Navi Mumbai. But still, a lot of traffic management on the road is needed.”
“Uh a lot of uh new developments around here, but Belapur, the old Belapur is still the same. The people are the same. Neighborhood has not changed.”
“This hotel is built on swamp lands and everything and there's lot of birding sites and all the wetlands have been filled I don't know how this airport is going to work. Uh I hope they have taken some considerations for flooding.”
“There's lot of uh new roads and uh flyovers I see going towards the airport. Already some buildings and all are coming up and hotels near the airport.”
“I see a lot of these government contract workers on the road and everything working without safety helmets and any proper gear. Government should take care that basic safety precautions are followed for normal people.”
“We used to swim in these lakes when we were kids. Now all I see are roads, industries, and a lot of construction. They've cut down the mountains and filled in the lakes in this area, which used to be white lands.”
“What happens to neighbourhoods when everything just stays the same for 50 plus years. I see the same people everywhere”
“In congested cities, there should be dedicated lanes for ambulance and fire services. Otherwise, the traffic is gonna hurt everybody.”
“There's rampant cutting of hills and construction of many new colonies, which are now in decrepit conditions. Please respect nature to prevent landslides.”
“I just see bars and bars and bars everywhere. I think we need better ideas of how people can interact and engage rather than just drinking themselves to death and spoiling the society.”
