Mumbai: Borivli residents still waiting for BMC to fix broken garden wall

The makeshift fence created by locals with the help of ropes on January 31

Seven months on, Borivli residents are still waiting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to repair the wall around Chikuwadi Joggers Park, which collapsed during the monsoon. They said the civic body is taking its time to address the issue. The incident, which occurred in July 2023 after a tree collapse, prompted residents to write to the BMC.

Safety concerns have increased, given the unsavoury activities occurring outside the park, where individuals engage in alcohol consumption and smoking on footpaths.

In the absence of a sturdy wall and fencing, residents took matters into its own hands by tying ropes to secure the breach point. This makeshift solution aims to prevent unauthorised entry into the park, mitigating potential risks to children and senior citizens.

A former security guard, requesting anonymity, told mid-day, "I was on duty in the garden when the wall fell. The BMC was informed but due to the rain, repair work had to wait. We finally decided to tie the railings to the remains of the wall with rope."

He added, "If these drunkards sitting outside had entered the garden, it would have become a huge problem. What if a child went missing from the play area?"
A resident said, "My kids come to play here every evening. What if the railing falls and injures someone? The BMC has not acted since the time the wall collapsed. Initially, they made the excuse of rain. But that stopped in November! It will hardly take five days to repair the damage. I don't know what is taking the BMC so long?"

Officials from R Central ward's garden department told mid-day, "We are positive that the work will commence in a few days and the wall along with the railings will be ready in seven days from the time the repair work starts."

Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, a civic rights activist, said, "Authorities rarely follow the public redressal grievance system, which results in violators conducting their activities freely."

He added, "Last week, I wrote an email to the BMC and the police commissioner regarding the collapsed wall, highlighting security concerns faced by the residents."