The BMC administration held a meeting on Friday for objections to be raised on its adoption policy for open spaces under the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development of sports facilities in grounds. However, the administrative officer clarified during the meeting that civic authorities can hear suggestions to change points in the policy, but not to cancel the entire policy. Guardian Minister (suburbs) Mangal Prabhat Lodha has backed the PPP model and suggested that the BMC take a decision on the policy within 30 days as the city needs sports facilities.

The BMC published a draft ‘Open Space Adoption Policy’ in September. Citizens and NGOs opposed the policy and the BMC received over 100 suggestions/ objections mainly opposing the policy. Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha held a meeting in September where NGOs opposed the policy. Another meeting was organised by Lodha on Friday (December 1) at the BMC headquarters for citizens’ views regarding the proposal.