In the course of development, Mumbai struggles to find a way to maintain its open spaces
The Race Course is reserved in the Development Plan as an Open Space for public to use for recreational purpose, and is one of the large lungs of the Island City. The objective of the planners was to intermittently provide an open space for citizens in the metropolis to collectively use for sports of all sorts or be within such premises for physical respite, mental, emotional and psychological release.
Mumbai, in the recent past, has begun to rapidly grow vertically at a breakneck speed. The release of the Mill Land at Lower Parel, increase of the FSI for slum rehabilitation scheme projects, Cess (dilapidated) buildings, cluster development and other events, have changed the skyline along with increasing the burden on the infrastructure and impinged upon reserved open spaces.
To put it bluntly, we have a major conflict of interest on constructive growth or development of this city. Ad hoc proposals in the name of development have been mooted in the past and continue to be raised time and again as the issue of the creation of a helipad on the race course. It is stated that it is the need of the hour; it will benefit the city.
Does it justify the creation of such commercial activity vis-à-vis reducing Reserved public open space used by public for overall well-being, overwhelmingly outnumbering one per cent of those who are likely to use this helipad facility? Is it impossible to find alternative options for a helipad? Or even scrap the idea in totality, considering that from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport via Sahar Elevated Road, Western Expressway Highway and the Sea Link, one can reach the Mantralaya in about 40 to 50 minutes?
Neera Punj is a Trustee for NAGAR, an NGO fighting for the protection of open spaces in the city
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