The Z bridge at Matunga

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I walk on the Z bridge in Matunga to travel from western to the central part of Matunga. People in this area are very particular about which part of Matunga they belong to. I am not sure if this is Mumbai specific. But I do hear friends in New York always specifying the area they live in. I have no clue about what is a better area or how far is it from Manhattan, but things get measured like that. Matunga road or the Western Matunga was called Matunga BB earlier. It was a cloth mill area and an area for the under belly of Mumbai in the days when the mills were working. Then  the buildings started coming up. A pond divided the two Matungas and both sides were lush green. A small narrow bridge like a brick wall was used to cross over to the other side. Most schools were located in central Matunga. Now there is a Z bridge which runs above the railway repair yard. I love peeping into the repair shed through the broken slats.Seeing bogies getting repaired and the smell of petrol/ diesel used is so enticing. This is where the local train compartments destroyed by the bomb blasts were repaired. Old trees surround the Victorian building which houses offices of the Railway repair shed. There is so much character to this Z bridge. There is one peanut seller,he heats the nuts in sand. The sand has turned black with constant heating in the same vessel. I have never seen the source of fire that he uses to keep the 'Seeng" warm. The other day I saw a man sitting with a crowd around him. He had three Marie biscuits with some stickers on it. People were betting and he was promising them double money for every bet they won.

 On the diagonal of the Z , his pal was standing and keeping a watch for danger in the name of cops.Towards the end of this, a young girl sits in a deformed way in an old salwar kameez, begging. For years I thought she could not walk and someone was lifting her to bring her to this bridge. Then like most myths, this one broke, when I saw her get up and walk away normally. Can't say if I was happy or sad to see this. A dark guy with a thick moustache hangs around her with a plastic bag.

Right now the unused railway tracks have become lush green due to the Mumbai monsoons. Matunga central station is the only station where flowers grow on the railway tracks. The railway office has an exit to the station which is green too. In Mumbai, where every tree and drop of green matters, this place is a sight for sore eyes.As I walk towards the central side, the pace picks up. On the bridge, mobile covers are sold. An old blind couple is singing songs and begging. The railway ticket counter is making brisk money. The peace of my walk from the western side is a bit shattered as I climb down towards kabutar khaana. The stench of urine and the oil of samosas/ vadas is nauseating.. But the greenery on the tracks still makes my eyes smile.

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