Residents of Cumbala Hill cheer 'partial' win over plot

The residents of Cumbala Hill and those who are part of Carmichael Road Citizens' Committee and Altamount Road Area Citizens Committee (ARACC) among others are cheering their partial victory over a plot being reserved as an open space.

The plot, which is on the extension of Carmichael Road or Byramji Gamadia/ML Dhanukar Marg was reserved as children's playground in the development plan (DP) which has lapsed.

Although the authorities had served acquisition notice for the plot, the notice lapsed as they did not actually purchase it. The Supreme Court upheld the lapsing of notice and stated that the plot stands de-reserved.

The BMC was looking to reserve the plot as residential after it lost the case. However, the residents rallied together and asked that the plot be reserved again as open space in DP 2034.

The plot is adjacent to the Japanese Consulate and opposite Gulistan building. A board at the site says that the property is currently with the court receiver of the Bombay High Court as it is stuck in litigation between two disputing parties, BN Gamadia and SP Seth.

"Instead of children's park, they now mention the plot's reservation as garden. I still think it is a victory for us. Now we would like to ask the state to develop it as a children's park as there is none in the area," said Subhash Gogia, a resident of the area.