How to use this map?

Our interactive map of Mumbai allows you to view the issues and problems faced by your fellow citizens on various issues relating to their homes and neighbourhoods. You can see what suggestions are being offered by others, and help them by proposing ideas of your own.

You never know, these solutions may help you if you face a similar problem too!

Navigating the Map

You can move around the map easily by clicking on the screen and dragging it around. You can also zoom in or out for a more detailed view by using the Zoom bar on the upper left side of the map.

If you get a bit lost, or need to get somewhere in a hurry, you can use the “Navigate Using Rail Stations” option on the upper left corner of the screen to quickly centre the map on any Local Railway Station e.g. Churchgate or Ghatkopar.

The coloured icons on the map represent the issues that have been raised by your fellow Mumbaikars. Clicking on an icon brings up a brief description of the issue. To view more details of the issue and to take part in the discussion of possible solutions, click “More”.

This will take you to a page with the detailed description of the issue as well as the comments and discussions on it.

The options to the upper right of the map are to help you use the different features the map offers.

The upper most bar “Unresolved – Resolved”, helps to switch between the map displaying issues that are still active or ‘Unresolved’, and issues that have already been addressed or ‘Resolved’, respectively.

The “Issues – ALM” bar is to switch the map from displaying issues, to displaying the locations of Advance Locality Management (ALM) groups throughout the city. These are neighbourhood groups of citizens who work in partnership with the Municipal Corporation to improve their locality. For more information on ALMs you can read the many articles we have on them.

Using this feature, you can see the locations of ALMs near you, find out if you have an ALM in your neighbourhood, and contact them to learn how you can join them. If you don’t see an ALM in your area, don’t worry. You can start your own after reading our articles!

The third bar “Select Category of Issues” allows you to select a specific category of issues, and displays only those issues on the map.

For those of you unsure about things like which Municipal Ward you live in, or where your closest Fire Station is, the last bar, “Government Bodies”, lets you view details and locations of important agencies like the MCGM, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and the Election Commission.

Clicking on the MCGM or the Election Commission displays the different Municipal Wards and State Assembly Constituencies in the city respectively, while selecting the Police and Fire Brigade shows the location of all the Police and Fire Stations in the city.

Using this map, you can find out which ward you live in, where your Ward Office is located, and even access its contact numbers, likewise for Central Polling Stations of the Election Commission, and Police and Fire Stations.

While we have taken great care in mapping the boundaries and office locations of these agencies, please be aware that there may some inaccuracies. Please call the respective authorities for an exact clarification, especially if you are located near the border of a particular jurisdiction.

To view all the issues in the form of a table, click on the button “Switch to List View” towards the bottom of the screen.

If you want to view issues from a particular period, such as only issues posted within the last week, or all issues posted in the last six months, you can use the sliding timeline at the bottom of the page.

Posting an Issue

Posting your own issue is as easy as clicking on the large “Post Your Issues” button at the bottom of the map.

If this is the first time you are using our site, you will be prompted to register yourself with us. This is so that we can get in touch with you to help you in tackling your problem. The registration process itself is very simple; you need to choose a User Name for yourself, and provide us your email address, and contact number. A password will immediately be sent to the email account you have provided, which you can then use to sign in.

Once you have signed in, after clicking on the “Post Your Issues” button, you will be directed to the map, where you can pin point the location of your problem by dragging the map to its location and clicking on the spot. You can zoom in or out using the Zoom bar. Please try to be as accurate as possible when selecting the location as it will help to resolve your problem more effectively.

After selecting the location, you will have to fill in certain details regarding the issue, these include:

• Title: This is a one line description of the problem you are facing. Please try to be specific.
• Address: This is the address or location of the problem. As we mentioned earlier, please be as accurate as possible when providing the location of your problem.
• Ward: This refers to the Municipal Ward that the issue falls under. If you are unsure about which Municipal Ward you are located in, please click on the MCGM option in the “Government Bodies” tool on the main map page.
• Pincode: This is to help us identify the area and location of your complaint more easily.
• When did this Issue Occur: This is to help us understand how long the issue has been a problem, if it is of a periodic nature or if it occurred at a particular time.
• Category: Please select the category which best fits your issue. If you are unsure, you can select “Other”.
• Upload Image: You can upload a photo of the problem that will help everybody understand the issue better.
• Description: This is where you have to give a detailed description of the issue. Please include whatever background and facts you feel are necessary, as well as details of any action you may have already taken to tackle it.

After filling in all these details, click on the “Submit” button. Your issue will have been sent for confirmation, following which it will appear on the map (This should take a day at most).

Resolving Issues

At TogetherVCAN, we believe that us solving your problems is less effective than providing you the tools to solve it yourself. With this view, we will provide you with information on how to tackle the problem such as where to go, whom to approach, what to do, as best as we can, but the onus is on you to follow up on the issues that affect you. Our role is that of a guide and a friend.

Please keep in mind that complaints or issues of a criminal nature and/or which may concern the police should be reported to the Police Station concerned directly. We are not a substitute for the Police or any other official agency.

Experience has taught us that tackling issues as a group is more effective than as an individual, the concept of the ALM is particularly effective in this as all ALMs are registered with the MCGM, giving them an official recognition and a stronger standing even when dealing with other government organisations.

The advice and solutions given will most often be in the form of comments on a particular issue. This is so that people with similar queries can also view the comments, as well as to encourage a participative discussion. If you have dealt with a similar issue in the past, or have some information or inputs that you feel will help someone, please do not hesitate to comment on any issue.

Likewise, listen to the inputs and suggestions of other users, they often have valuable insights you may have missed. In any case, do not hesitate to contact us for any clarifications or ideas. Our contact details can be accessed through the “Contact Us” option at the upper right of the page, or at the bottom of the page.

It goes without saying that abusive or vulgar language, and political or religious comments will not be tolerated.

We hope that this portal helps to provide a platform for you to build better lives for yourself and your community, and gives you the self confidence and belief to tackle any issue head on!

I Can, You Can, and TogetherVCAN!