The model, implemented by five businessmen, can be replicated in other areas of city as well.
Where there’s open space, there’s encroachment and where there’s a will, there’s a way. In an attempt to find a permanent solution to the menace of encroachment, illegal parking, filth and drug addicts below flyovers, a civic activist and a group of like-minded individuals have started a unique initiative.
Young India Action Forum (YIFA), a group of five businessmen from the city, and activist Nikhil Desai have decided to organise monthly tournaments and competitions for children below the 1.5km-long King’s Circle flyover. The first such event was held on Sunday — a drawing competition which saw the participation of 145 children.
“The space beneath flyovers is either encroached or vehicles are parked there. To ensure that the space below the King’s Circle flyover remains free from such nuisance, we decided to organise a competition,” Desai said. He said YIFA, which was formed in 2008, intends to organise similar competitions in the future. The model can be replicated under other flyovers which are a hotbed of illegal activities.
“Our intention is to create awareness among people that these spaces are not meant for encroachment. By organising such competitions, we can also engage our children in doing the right things,” said Nilesh Kanakia, founder member of YIFA.
Matunga resident Vaishali Vira, whose children Prissha, 6, and Dhairya, 3, participated in the drawing competition, welcomed the initiative. “Engaging children in competitions will inculcate good habits among them. They will learn about saving open spaces and the importance of not littering, etc,” said Vira.
Buoyed by the positive response, the organisers now plan to have events such as sack race competitions in the future to apprise children about unique Indian sports.
Municipal authorities have welcomed the move. “It is true that the onus of stopping encroachment under flyovers is with the governing bodies. But small initiatives like these certainly help,” a civic official said.
Around 500-600 flyovers can be parked below the King’s Circle flyover. The activists persuaded the authorities to demolish shanties and erect metal railing on the northern end of the flyover. The residents even got the BMC to make a continuous stretch of kerb stones on either side below the flyover. Societies along Dr BA Road have deployed four security guards who work in two shifts to keep any eye on nuisance creators. Residents use the open space for jogging too.
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