The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will face stiff resistance from citizens’ organisations if it goes ahead with its plans to revive the caretaker policy for open spaces.
The policy permits a private party to build clubhouses, restaurants, and other recreation amenities on a portion of the recreation ground or playground.
A stay was issued on the policy in 2007. It came in force on December 1, 2007.
During a meeting held with mayor Shraddha Jadhav on Wednesday, the civic administration hinted at the possibility of reviving the policy. It was decided to rework some of the conditions to make it more “transparent”. However, the construction clause, which was the major bone of contention, is likely to be retained.
Jadhav said the policy, with the fresh guidelines, would first be tabled before the improvement committee and the civic general body. “It will then be forwarded to the state government with a request to lift the existing stay,” she said.
Citizens groups said they would protest against any such move. “A public open space cannot be used to set up private clubs,” said Nayana Kathpalia, a founder of Citispace.
The outfit’s co-founder Neera Punj had earlier said, “Citizens will rise in protest against any attempt to marginalise public open spaces.”
Meeting of all like-minded NGOs and citizens outfits is on the cards, said Pankaj Joshi from the Urban Design Research Institute.
The BMC plans to insert a new clause in the policy guidelines, which will allow it to advertise the scope, specifications, terms and conditions and criteria for evaluation of application. Officials said this will stimulate competition and transparency in the allotment.
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