Gardens now look more inviting!

People in the city have in general welcomed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's move to remove the fences around open spaces in the city. They feel it would give them better access to these places as well as help in maintaining them well.

On November 13, dna had reported that the civic body had decided to remove the fences around open spaces in the city one by one, so that they stay open to the public. It would also enable BMC to check if contractors responsible for maintaining them are doing their job.

On Tuesday, BMC removed the fencing around the one-acre garden beside the Oval Maidan near Churchgate, and around a garden in Vikhroli East. The civic body has also started work on removing the fence around the garden north of Oval Maidan facing the high court building. This work is expected to be completed in a day.

Jason Fernandes, a Santacruz resident, said, "We are happy that BMC has taken this step. At times, access (gates) to these parks remain locked, preventing residents from entering them. And many a time, grass is not trimmed; they overgrow making the garden look eerie. Removing fences would hopefully help make gardens clean and inviting."

Fernandes also said BMC should ensure that people don't encroach on these spaces.

For Matunga-based activist Nikhil Desai, it's a welcome move. He also want fences around traffic islands removed as they unnecessarily adds to BMC's expenditure. "It's a good move. There are many traffic islands in my area from where fences should be removed. However, BMC should be careful about removing fences around bigger gardens, as that could invite drug addicts and other anti-social elements to camp there."