Dadar’s cleaned-up skatepark is a positive sign

Representation pic

A recent social media plea had a pleasing fallout. Our report said it led to the long overdue clean-up of a skate park under Hindmata Flyover in Dadar East. In 2024, a national level skater was aghast at the state of the skate park.

When he visited the venue, he witnessed trash strewn all around and there were some drug additcs, too, in the space. This more or less has been the state of this park for the past three years.

On a recent visit though in heartwarming scenes, our report stated that people saw teenagers and young adults whirring past on their skateboards, pulling off cool moves. The change in scenery came recently, after a social media plea reached Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, who ordered a full clean-up of the park. Now, skaters have a fillip and the space should play a part in boosting this sport further.

Our youngsters need infra to practise sport, whether they are accomplished athletes, aspiring athletes or simply looking for a place to practice sport with no competitive aim. It is criminal that sporting infra in public places, made using public funds goes to waste with nobody answerable about how this has been allowed to happen.

When this skating bowl construction was complete in 2023, there were a number of events that took place, but after that, it deteriorated. It took social media to effect awareness and the Mayor ordered a cleanup and revival.

This is just the sort of thing that should not be needed, as once made, maintenance and upkeep should simply be part of the larger design. Ensure on-site security to secure these facilities.