Anand Ghurye (46) has a problem that afflicts all of Goregaon: there is so much traffic, it’s virtually impossible to cross the roads.

“Residential buildings are coming up fast and the number vehicles is on the rise,” said Anand, who runs chain of astrology classes across Mumbai.

There’s another reason for the jams: Motorists from Malad and Oshiwara have to go via Goregaon if they want to go to Link Road or SV Road. Also, there are four lanes, but two are always blocked by parked rickshaws and cars.

“It’s the same problem getting to Western Express Highway. It takes over half-an-hour from Link Road. The government needs to think of developing better road connectivity,” said Anand.

“I have proposed three flyovers connecting SV Road with Nirlon Compound on Western Express Highway, Bangur Nagar on Link Road with SV Road and the third connecting SV Road with Link Road,” said sitting Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Desai (67).

Mega functions are frequently held at Goregaon Sports Complex and Bangur Nagar, the most recent being the famous Sankalp dandiya.

The events — and shopping destinations like Oberoi Mall and new restaurants — add to the number of vehicles.

There are some benefits. “Earlier, vegetable vendors would quote unbelievably high prices, but the competition from grocery stores inside the malls have pushed down prices,” said Hemangi, Anand’s wife.

But, despite that, rising inflation has ruffled enough feathers. “People are upset over the government’s inefficiency to control price hikes,” said Desai.

Also, slums constitute a major problem in Goregaon.

The civic body initiated a pilot project called ‘Slum Adoption Scheme’ called Prem Nagar in Goregaon in 2000.

About 65,000 reidents of the slum were provided sanitation services.

Amit Mane (30), who’s employed by a private firm, felt water supply is an issue too. “We’ve been suffering from a water shortage for long. The latest excuse offered by the government is inadequate rainfall,” he said.

That’s a problem Rao promised to solve. He said: “I will try to bring respite to Goregaon within one-and-a-half years by diverting water from the Middle Vaitarna project to the area.”