The Nightingale is getting a lot of flak for opposing the flyover at Peddar Road.
DNA, in a scathing editorial, says Lata Mangeshkar has hit the wrong notes on the issue.
'Mangeshkar is only one—though with the highest public profile—of the many objectors. But their resistance is typical of the 'not in my backyard' tendency that surfaces every time a new brick and mortar developmental project is announced. Anyone who has waited in the traffic jams at the chicken's neck which links Haji Ali to Pedder road in peak traffic will agree how badly the problem needs to be sorted out,' it says.
'The stakeholders in the Peddar road imbroglio need to recognise that the only way forward for a city of over 14 million people is upgraded infrastructure and modernisation. The details regarding the implementation can be discussed. The city, however, cannot afford drawing room objections to real problems on the ground,' it concludes.
DNA’s letters page too has some interesting views from citizens. Note: The only ones objecting are residents of Peddar Road.
Journalist Saisuresh Sivaswamy bids farewell to Lata in this interesting blog post. Read the comments, they are fun too.
Mid-day reports that the government is going ahead with the construction of the flyover despite the protests.
Mid-day also has a poll on whether Lata was right in opposing the flyover. 13 percent supported her. 87 percent did not.
Clearly the singer does not have popular support for her stand. Then why is she complaining that she is being targeted?