BMC leased Gilder Tank ground to pvt party for festival 6 months ago; yet to restore it to suitable play area for kids
It seems that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is not keeping tabs on ground realities. This time, it’s the Gilder Tank ground at Grant Road (East) and the kids in the area that have been hit hard by the civic body’s apathy.
According to the residents, the ground – that is meant for sports – has gotten spoilt after the municipal corporation leased it to a private organisation for Ganesh Chaturthi over five months ago.
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On uneven ground: The Gilder Tank ground at Grant Road (East) has become uneven and bumpy, and is not a suitable place for children to play. PIC/Kranti Vibhute
Tired of being repeatedly snubbed by the civic authorities, the residents of Grant Road (East) have started a signature campaign to save the playground.
“Stones and mud meant for construction were dumped on that ground and was only removed recently after repeated complaints. Despite that, the playground is useless. The surface is very uneven and a few children, who played here, have been injured,” Deepak Kamble, a resident, said.
When their requests directed to the BMC repeatedly fell on deaf ears, the residents sent a complaint to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Area President, Grant Road (East) Anil Nagre. Hethen took the issue up with the BMC ward officer and wrote to him about the bad condition of the ground.
Nagre also urged the civic body to maintain the ground and keep it suitable for children to play without getting hurt. “Ever since the Ganesh festival, there were big stones and gravel meant for construction lying everywhere and the ground became unsuitable for playing.
After we repeatedly complained to the BMC, the stones were removed two days ago. However, the ground is still unsafe for children as no red mud has been spread on it to even it out,” said Nagre.
u00a0The other side
>>u00a0Rameshwar Lohe, head of physical education, BMC, said, “I inform the authorities as and when a ground is available for private events. Earlier, the Gilder Tank ground was not in a good condition, as during monsoons, the rainwater would fill up. We will be spreading red mud over the ground soon.”u00a0
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