Mumbai: Residents' association calls it quits on Carter Rd maintenance

The Carter Road promenade is among the citys iconic tourist spots and after maintaining the space for two decades the Bandra West Residents Association stepped back last month after their contract expired Apart from the growing maintenance cost the association said security has become a challenge especially amid lack of initiative from Maharashtra Maritime Board MMB and the civic body Members said that the association took care of all aspects including electricity water supply repair garden and security Carter Road is also an important venue for openair events and protestsCarter Road is popular among walkers PicSatej ShindePatricia Nath the associations president said funds were collected from events and branding activities We tried to keep it as a residents area and maintained it as a family space where no visitors are charged However recently it became difficult to cope There were a lot of responsibilities and with the growing footfall security was becoming an issue We approached the BMC and MMB with our difficulties But they were complacent and we didnt get a response she saidPainful decisionNath added that the association wrote to the MMB to inform them of their decision We wrote to them in March and they asked us to continue until they found an alternative We carried on till June and then decided that it was not working for us As painful as it was we had to move away with the hope that they will find someone else Nath said She added that if MMB and BMC share the duties the residents would be happy to take up the responsibility againArchitect P K Das who has been involved in the refurbishment of Carter Road said Maintenance costs are mounting and there are recurring renovation costs After the recent renovation which included additional lighting there are huge electricity bills and it is now beyond the voluntary capacity of the association he said He added that apart from refusing to help the MMB has been trying to capture the space and regulate the advertisingDas said that public spaces should be maintained by the government The residents cannot substitute the role of the government it has to be a joint effort BMCs garden department has the funds to maintain the promenade and residents can help with vigilance he saidShortstaffed amid COVIDThe promenade comes under the jurisdiction of the MMB and the association has to adhere to its rules on advertising activities and events Congress corporator Asif Zakaria wrote to Tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on July 17 asking that the responsibility be given to the garden department The association has withdrawn the security gardeners sweepers and the lights arent switched on either At this rate the beautiful promenade that was maintained so well for all these years will fall into disrepair I have asked the civic chief to take over the maintenance from the MMB he saidAn official from the Inspection Department of the MMB said that the issue is under consideration We are not fully functional amid the pandemic We had asked the association to continue until a replacement is found but they did not agree We have put up a proposal to find a temporary solution the official said Sources in MMB estimated the average monthly maintenance cost to be around R2 lakh Officials from the H West ward said they are in talks with the MMB to find a solutionJuneMonth at the end of which the associations contract expiredRs 2lakhApprox cost of maintaining the promenadeCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news