Mumbai: Month after meeting, no headway made on Open Spaces policy

BMC says it doesn’t have the expertise to develop sports facilities. File Pic/Satej Shinde

More than a month after a public meeting regarding the open spaces adoption policy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to take the matter further. The civic body had invited suggestions and objections to provide playgrounds for adoption. Several activists objected to the move and a public meeting was held in the first week of December. However, despite the corporation being keen on going ahead with the policy, no steps have been taken to put it in place.

A draft 'Open Space Adoption Policy' was published in September and the BMC held a meeting on December 1 for objections to be raised on its adoption policy for open space under the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development of sports facilities in grounds. Citizens and NGOs opposed the policy and the BMC received over 100 suggestions/objections mainly opposing the policy. At the meeting, activists objected to the move saying the BMC should develop and maintain gardens. However, the administrative officer clarified during the meeting that civic authorities can hear suggestions to change points in the policy, but not entirely cancel the policy.

Kishor Gandhi, deputy municipal commissioner (garden department), had said in the meeting that the PPP policy is needed to develop sports infrastructure on the grounds as the BMC does not have sports experts for maintenance and training while private institutes cannot afford the huge cost of plots in the city. Now, a month on, officials from the garden department are still awaiting instructions on implementing the policy. "We are waiting for directions. There isn't any further development regarding the adoption policy draft," said an official.

Dec 1
Day BMC held public meeting

100
No of suggestions BMC got