The Oval Maidan underwent a major restoration in the late 1990s. Now, the Oval Trust has its eyes on grounds surroundings. Shibu Thomas looks at whats in store.
Garden strip
The trust has completed work on the garden strips adjoining the boundary wall on the east side of the maidan. The garden gives the maidan an aesthetically pleasing look. Besides, it keeps goons away, said Nayana Kathpalia, convenor of the Oval Trust.
Car park
The BMC has commenced work on the car park adjoining the maidan. The width of the pavement has been reduced, with provision for proper angular parking.
The car parking was mooted by the Bombay Bar Association, after the high court banned car parking inside the court premises for security reasons.
The car park will be for lawyers on a first-come-first-serve basis, said Gautam Patel, of the bar association. Though the width of the pavement has been reduced considerably, Kathpalia says it conforms to the 2.5-metre BMC norm.
Earlier, cars were parked on the pavement, making it very dangerous for pedestrians, said Kathpalia. The BMC will also tile the pavement.
Revamped BMC, BEST chowkies
The trust has also asked the BMC and the BEST to renovate their chowkies near the maidan. They are big eyesores, said Kathpalia.
The BMC has an outpost and a rest room for its conservancy staff, both of which are in bad shape.
The BEST also has chowkies for its staff. The trust has asked the BMC to refurbish the structure so that it blends in with the surrounding heritage buildings.
The BMC is, however, looking for private sponsors. We do not have funds
to build new chowkies, said R K Wale, assitant municipal commissioner, A Ward.
In case private sponsors come forward, we will give them the go ahead.
The trust has also asked the BMC to remove the garbage dump at the maidans south end.
Heritage toilet
The trust has proposed the construction of a toilet for people who frequent the maidan. This will stop the ground from being used as an open toilet,
said Kathpalia.
The toilet, plans for which have been passed by the BMC, will be unobtrusive, with a tiled, sloping roof and a pavilion look, she added.
Voices
The new car park is a sacrilege. The Oval Maidan is the only garden in the city that has been granted Grade I heritage status. The pavement is part of the heritage precincts and the BMC cannot mess up the premises.
Sharada Dwivedi, historian
The BMC has not approached the heritage committee. As it does not involve any change in the usage, the corporation may have thought it unnecessary to seek permission. I will have to check on this.
D M Sukhtankar, chairman, heritage committee
The BMC has dug up most of the pavement, exposing the roots of the trees.
There was no need to build a car park, as a part of the pavement was being already used for this. It is ridiculous that the BMC last year converted a car park at Flora Fountain into a garden, while at the Oval heritage structure they are destroying the pavement to build a car park.
Dr Anahita Pandole, activist
The car park was a requirement. At present, cars are parked
on the pavement. This is dangerous for pedestrians.
Nayana Kathpalia, chairperson, Oval Trust
The green zone that tuned to dust
In the 1860s, the Oval Maidan was part of the Esplanade, a green zone with the Cross and Azad maidans in the north, the central Oval maidan, and the southern Cooperage ground.
The Esplanade was originally reserved to provide an unobstructed view from the fort. Over the years, the green areas were encroached upon and government plans for the area changed.
Now its just a small strip of land that plays host to cricket and football matches.
The Oval Maidan also has a Hollywood connection in the early part of the 20th century, foreign-made films were screened in tents put up on the maidan.
