Gardens are the new footpaths for BMC, corporators: Mumbai activists

The old fence at Madhu Park in Khar

The gardens in H west ward, which includes plush areas of Western suburbs such as Bandra, Khar and Santacruz West, are getting new fencing and activists are not impressed. Activists have claimed that gardens are becoming the new footpaths for the civic body and corporators as, despite the old fences being in good shape, funds are being wasted on replacements.

The new fence

Madhu Park in Khar and Aeroplane garden in Santacruz are two initial examples where intact fences were removed and replaced by brick walls and iron fencing. While the work on Madhu Park has been completed, the work on Aeroplane garden going on.

To the dismay of citizens, gardens that do need attention are lying in bad shape. The Rajesh Khanna Garden, which locals say needs urgent attention, has not been taken up for repairs by the BMC. Incidentally, all three gardens fall in the jurisdiction of the same corporator who heads ward no. 98.

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The old fence in perfect shape at Aeroplane garden in Santacruz

A few years ago, citizen activists were crying foul over footpaths being repaired unnecessarily, causing problems to pedestrians and wastage of funds. Activist Zoru Bhathena said, "I have complained to the BMC about the ongoing work. There was no need to do this as hardly one or two fences needed repairs which could have been easily carried out. The whole garden's fencing need not be changed. This is what the civic body and corporators used to do with footpaths to use up corporator funds. We are hoping that this does not take place with gardens as well."

"While the work at Madhu Park was completed a few days ago, the beautiful fencing is being dismantled at Aeroplane garden. What irks us more is that the Rajesh Khanna Garden remains in shambles," Bhathena said.

Fence replacement work underway at the same park

Vinayak Vispute, H west ward's assistant municipal commissioner, said, "The changes were made to make the gardens more visible from the roadside. The old fences did not give a better view of the gardens. The new ones won't just increase the visibility from outside but also make the garden look good."