Twitter
Advertisement

South Mumbai corporator asks collector to hand over open space to BMC

The government land was given to Taj Vivanta for maintenance by the city collector

Latest News
article-main
The land, now a garden, was reserved for a recreational ground as per the old Development Plan
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

South Mumbai corporator Harshita Narvekar wrote to the city collector to hand over a piece of land to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its upkeeping. Residents of Cuffe Parade are now left red-faced over the decision.

The BMC in their correspondence to the then collector Sampada Mehta had sought an opinion about handing over the land which is located behind Taj Vivanta. The city collector had given the possession of land to Taj Vivanta for maintenance. The land which is now a garden has a reservation of Recreational Ground as per the old Development Plan.

Kiran Dighaokar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of A Ward, said, "We had received the letter from the corporator to take over the land from the collector for its better upkeeping. The garden was not maintained adequately and we had sought the opinion of the collector in the matter."

"We are ready to take over the land and develop it for recreational purpose. The collector has the power to sanction the possession and give us the ownership of the land.", said Dighaokar.

Meanwhile, Padmakar Nandekar, Secretary General for Cuffe Parade Residents Association, said, "The garden is being maintained properly and there is no need to handover the land to the civic body. We are opposing the move and have informed the local corporator about the same."

"The garden is open to public and has been used for recreational purpose already. The gardens which are maintained by the BMC are in bad shape already and giving them the patch of land will only lead to further inconvenience to public. BMC is unable to maintain their own patch of land which is further used by the anti-social elements and drunkards who dirty the gardens and indulge in consuming drugs," said Nandekar.

Another resident on the condition of anonymity said, "If the garden goes away from the possession of local residents, there is a danger of the land being encroached and anti-social elements would indulge in illegal activities."

"The garden is used by the senior citizens and also children who play in the morning and evening. The security of the garden is good and if BMC takes away the land, it will be unable to provide adequate security to the garden," said the resident.

Corporator Harshita Narvekar refused to comment over the incident.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement