As Mumbaikars gear up for the Mumbai Marathon, Malabar Hill citizens campaign to save Priyadarshini Park, home to Western India’s first Olympic-style all-weather running track
The vision of Priyadarshini Park, aka PDP, took birth in the summer of 1980 with a resolution passed by Maharashtra Revenue and Forest Department to convert the said plot of land at Nepeansea Road into a maidan or garden green area. Subsequently, in 1988, Malabar Hill Citizens Forum (MCF), formed by BA Desai, was given possession for its development and maintenance and a year later the idea was tweaked to turn it into a Sports Complex.
Towards this initiative, the central government allotted Rs 50 lakh to the forum to create Western India's first eight-lane, Olympic style, all-weather, synthetic jogging track at PDP. As the technology wasn't available in India at that time, a German company Balsam, then one of the world's biggest names for creating artificial surfaces, was appointed for the job.
Since then it's been synonymous with athletics and has expanded its facilities to provide training in football, basketball, tennis, karate, gymnastics, aerobics and yoga besides being a preferred place for residents to walk or unwind, since it's next to the sea. But ever since the Superintendent of Gardens sent a notice to MCF on December 23, 2016, to return the park to BMC within a week, friendly banter often gives way to debate, angst and worry regarding the fate of PDP.
MCF on its part immediately moved the vacation bench with a writ petition and on December 27, 2016 the High Court disposed the case directing the municipal corporation to withdraw the current notice and issue a fresh show cause notice to the forum and grant them a personal hearing in accordance with law.
While the BMC decides on the date of hearing, citizens are queuing up at the park to support MCF's signature campaign.
The staff assigned to the task at PDP says, "Since last Saturday (January 7, 2016) when we started the campaign to this morning (January 14, 2016) 11,000 people have signed". Meanwhile the Forum's online campaign #SaveOurPDP on Change.org, extols the good upkeep, timely upgradation of the park including "the recently commissioned Children's Play Area" and its significance to everyone "from toddlers to 90-year- olds". The Shiv Sena currently controls the BMC.
Signed by various famous persons including athletics and marathon coach, Savio D'Souza, at the time of going to print it had 495 signatures. Durga Bhosle-Shinde, who identifies as a Shiv Sainik, is supporting MCF by creating a Facebook Page SavePDP and one more online petition on Change.org, #SavePDP that has garnered 2475 signatures.
Her petition urges regulars to the park to protect "our beloved green-refuge", pointing out that "the newly introduced garden policy is to withdraw 'improperly' maintained plots, which PDP doesn't fall under". It also cites concerns about a proposal being floated to build a 60 storey hotel property in its place as well the bad state of parks currently under BMC.
Meanwhile MCF General Secretary, Susieben Shah remains bullish about victory and says, "We have a swell of on-ground support and will submit the signatures to the commissioner when he gives us time. We've received the show cause notice and will give a befitting reply at the personal hearing".
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