Twitter
Advertisement

The missing garden

Locals are troubled as BMC's negligence turns a SoBo garden into a dumping ground

Latest News
article-main
Vasantdada Patil Udyan turned into a dumping ground
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Mumbai, on its path to development, has left very few open spaces, parks and gardens for its citizens. The handful parks that are remaining are used to their fullest potential by the citizens so it's hard to imagine a park being turned into a dumping ground.

Vasantdada Patil Udyan, a stone's throw away from the Mumbai Central Station, was once a well looked after garden but now has become a dumping ground. Two years ago, this small but flourishing garden was closed down temporarily for carrying out drainage work.

Pancham Prabhu, a resident staying in the neighbourhood, says, "I have seen this piece of land ever since I was a kid. Initially, it was a maidan, which was later converted into a beautiful garden. However, since the last three to four years, it has been shut down for drainage work—the BMC has neglected this land for a long time."

Presently, the small piece of land is in such a bad state that it is difficult to imagine that a lush green garden once stood there. The garden area is not enclosed with walls, fencing, grills or even a makeshift cover. This is practically an invitation for trouble as drug addicts and other anti-social elements take over the reins of this place at dusk. The place is also used to dump debris, which is now the only characteristic that stands out. Moreover, cabbies in and around the area use the place to park their cars in a bid to save a few parking pennies.

Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA, Malabar Hill, says, "I have met Parag Masurkar, the Assistant Municipal Commissioner of 'D' ward and had finalised a plan. The plan has started and the ward has started the work on it. The study area in the garden has been built up and very soon, the boundary walls will come up to."

Parag Mausrkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, D ward, says, "We have started the work and it will get over in a month. The garden with be ready in another month."

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

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement