Keep citizens in mind when revamping Shivaji Park

Shivaji Park. Pic/Ashish Raje

After the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) concluded its open house with residents to address issues at Shivaji Park earlier this month, the civic body has approved an expenditure of Rs 2.1 crore to give the park precinct a facelift.

The work includes improving the walkability of the footpath around the park, enhancing recreational spaces, and introducing a new tourist attraction in the form of a water fountain, according to a mid-day report.

According to information from the G North ward, the works include removing existing mosaic chips, repairing existing tree basins as well as sculptures and murals, and benches.

The works are part of the BMC's project, as promised to citizens during the visit of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in July this year, to improve the citizens' interaction with the heritage precinct.

All infra upgrades are welcome, especially when they are aesthetic and visionary. They have to be done keeping citizens in mind. There must be an accent on quality. This is for any and all infrastructure work and every project. Coming specifically to Shivaji Park, the maidan is a shining jewel in the Dadar crown and is part of the cultural spine of the city.

What is vital, though, is that the work should not eat into any kind of green/open space. The open space must always be left open or even increased in all futuristic designs. While a project of this magnitude and importance is going to evince curiosity and interest given the historic importance of the maidan, we do not want to sacrifice even an inch of open space where people play, walk, run, and exercise to a new design. Let the aesthetics be about addressing much-needed repairs or facelifts, but not taking away anything from this ground. Every open area in Mumbai has to be guarded zealously and preserved.