Parsis protest another Dadar park revamp :The Times of India

Don't Concretize To Instal Play Equipment, Say Residents

Residents from Dadar Parsi Colony hit the streets on Friday morning to protest against the civic body's plan to revamp a recreational ground.

Locals told the civic officials that giving Panchgani garden a makeover was unnecessary as Five Gardens, which was recently revamped, is a stone's throw from the area. Besides, residents are against any concretization in the open space.

“Over the years, the park's condition has deteriorated. All we want is a green garden with a few benches, proper lighting and security ,“ said Zarine Engineer from Macherji Edalji Joshi Residents Association (MEJCRA).

Pearl Kavasmaneck, who lives opposite the garden, said, “Instead of these grand plans of installing play equipment, the BMC should make arrangements for adequate security . We want a gate to be constructed so that unruly elements do not enter the ground.“

Jennifer Batliwala, another resident, said that it is difficult to understand why the civic body is keen on changing the land reservation of the garden from recreational ground to playground. “We had sought data under the Right to Informa tion Act and found that the garden plot is categorized as a recreational ground as per the Development Plan of the BMC,“ said Batliwala.

Members of the Matunga Youngsters Club also joined in the protest. The residents showcased photographs of the gar den taken years ago to show the authorities that the ground had a lawn. Shiv Sena leader Trushna Vishwasrao inspected the area and asked the BMC to immediately stop work.

Vijay Hire, superintendent of gardens, said that a cell is looking into the revamp. “The residents want a lawn and their suggestions will be incorporated. We are looking into the matter,“ said Hire. TIMES VIEW : The BMC should take end users' opinion into account before embarking on yet another money-spinning scheme. Public money should not be wasted like this when people themselves don't appear even remotely interested in the “benefits“ of the “beautification“ and the installations.