NGO not to wait for BMC clearance

Will adopt garden in Andheri East

MUMBAI: Mumbai Helpline, an NGO which wanted to adopt a playground in Andheri (east), has had enough. Instead of waiting for the go-ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s, the NGO has decided to clear the ground of encroachments and adopt it for upkeep.

Programme director, Rishi Agarwal said, “We will clean the garden on our own without BMC’s approval.” Mumbai Helpline is incidentally an NGO working on the mapping of open plots and involving corporate houses in their development.

The association has been following up with the K/East ward office over the last nine months to adopt a 1,319 sq m garden on Marol Military Road, Andheri (CTS No. 298/A/1). Requests have been turned down citing bizarre excuses.

The association believes that by developing the garden, the area will have a fresh breathing zone. Its drive will have support from active counterparts like the Military Road Residents Welfare Association and Agni.  

Work will begin next week and a detailed plan is being formulated. The first year will see Rs1 lakh set aside.

The objective is to include the garden in the list of beautified plots by the time environment month is celebrated in December. Member MRRWA, Suresh Nair said, “We want to ensure that we make available green spaces by that time.”

“Once fully developed, it could be a good new year’s gift for locals,” added Agarwal. Meanwhile, BMC’S additional commissioner, RA Rajeev said that all pending applications would be cleared in 10 days.