They wanted a running track but... - Residents find Narmada under Matunga flyover : Mirror

Locals unhappy with project, say the plan focuses only on aesthetics and not utility

A beautification project below the Matunga flyover which comprises a jogging track and garden designed to resemble the Narmada River has stunned residents. They have written to the civic body stating that several of their ideas submitted were not incorporated in the project, which seemed to be aimed just at aesthetics without much utility.

Work on this project (extending from King's circle to Ruia College), the first of its kind in the city, began in May with much fanfare, and is around 40% complete. It is 700 m in length and 12 m in breadth. According to the BMC's plans, a pathway made of blue matte tiles meant for jogging will be constructed in a zig-zag manner representing the flow of a river.

Also part of the project will be palm plantations resembling the sea coast, bamboo clusters, a pathway for walking made of china mosaic, a sand bed, granite benches, flowering plants and bushes, a sand sculpture, an informal stage, wooden bridges to serve as pedestrian crossings and sandstone ghats for sitting. There will be an indoor activity room, emergency park ing space, and watchman cabins as well. Sources said it was being built at a cost exceeding Rs 3 crore.

In their letter to additional commissioner S Srinivas carrying around 3,000 signatures, residents have stated that due to the river theme, the width of the zig-zag walkway has been reduced drastically at many points, leaving very little space for even two people to walk through. They have asked for the track to be made at least 12 feet wide at its narrowest point. The residents have also asked for the design of the security cabins to be changed and the replacement of opaque walls with transparent ones to prevent any misuse for anti-social and illegal activities. “The area is already being used by drug addicts and other anti-social elements at night,“ said Sacheen Mehta, activist and resident. They also want the indoor activity room to be scrapped as they feel it does not serve any purpose. “We fear that this room too may be misused,“ he added.

“We wanted a wide and simple jogging track, provisions for cycling and areas allotted to children and senior citizens. We are not against beautification, but utility is also important. We were very excited about finally getting a jogging track, but now that does not seem to be a priority. The track is made of tiles, which I find very strange,“ said another resident who did not wish to be named.

Another point they highlighted in their letter was a large open space towards the Dadar TT end of the flyover which has been left out of the plan.“This space can be used to create a roller skating rink, which residents are ready to fund,“ said Mehta. The residents also feel that there was no need for two parking provisions, and that one of them should be scrapped.

Residents said that they had submitted a plan to the BMC with their ideas, but the end product seemed to be vastly different from what they had asked for.

Srinivas told Mirror, “The project is basically beautification below flyover, but we are trying to make it functional as much as possible.“