It appears that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s word is not the last word in the Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
It appears that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s word is not the last word in the Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Following a demand by Kalina residents, the Sena supremo had sought the revival of the 400-year-old Kolovery pond in the area. However, the request has been shot down municipal commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya’s office.
The commissioner’s office has argued that the 7.5-acre pond had been reclaimed before the civic body purchased the plot in 1977. “The plot was handed over to the BMC for development as a playground. For any change of use, a special permission will have to be sought from the state government,” it has said.
It has also avered that the question of reviving the pond does not arise, since even when the city’s development plan was redrafted in 1991, the plot was reserved for a playground, a school, a cemetery and a garden. The school and the garden have already been developed. Besides, a major part has been allotted to a private club, Kalina Recreation Club, for development and maintenance.
The Kolovery Welfare Association (KWA), a body of local residents claims the pond’s disappearance has affected the area’s ecological balance, and has led to an increase in flooding events. The association filed a prayer in the Bombay high court in 2006. Though the court instructed the government to undertake flood relief measures in the area, it ruled that the status quo be maintained. KWA challenged the decision in the supreme court, where the case is still pending.
Thackeray had openly supported the locals’ demand. In fact, it was on his directions that Sena corporator Sanjay Potnis had filed a notice of motion in the civic body demanding the pond’s revival. The proposal will now be taken up in the improvements committee meeting to be held on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, residents have decided to go on a hunger strike. “Why should the plot be developed into a playground when we already have one in St Mary’s High school?” said Angelo Galbano, KWA president.
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