Many prominent recreational grounds and playgrounds (RGPGs) in the city, hitherto maintained by politicians’ trusts, corporates and gymkhanas, will soon be taken over by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As per directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the civic body has decided to start the process of taking possession of these open spaces.
The open spaces include Priyadarshini Park, Horniman Circle Garden, CPRA Garden, Cuffe Parade, St Xaviers Playground, Bhoiwada, Maheshwari Udyan, Garden at Mount Mary Road, Sadhu Vaswani Garden, Mother Teressa Ground, General Arunkumar Vaidya Kridangan, Krishna Rao Rane Maidan and Pestom Sagar Ground - Chembur. Currently, these are maintained by various prominent corporates and private organisations.
Paying heed to public wrath, the CM asked BMC to review its controversial recreational ground-playground (RGPG) policy. He also asked the civic body to take over 216 open plots, which have been allotted to various organisations under the old scheme.
Superintendent of Gardens, BMC, Jitendra Pardeshi, said, “After receiving the CM’s order, we will start the process of taking possession of these open plots, whose agreement has already expired. Notices will be sent to agencies and organisations, which have been managing these plots, to hand over the land to the civic body.”
The CM has directed the BMC Commissioner to review the policy and make changes in the interest of common people. He has also asked the BMC to immediately start the process of taking over 216 open plots, whose agreement is not valid anymore.
However, open space activist Nikhil Desai expressed a word of caution. “These plots will be acquired by BMC and again be given to other organisations. Instead, they should be maintained by BMC itself. If the CM is really serious, he should also direct the civic body to take over nine plots, which have been given to various politicians under the earlier caretaker policy.”
