Mumbai: Finally! BMC starts fixing Chikuwadi Joggers Park wall

Work underway to fix the railing on the wall. Pic/Nimesh Dave

In response to repeated complaints about broken wall of Chikuwadi Joggers Park, Borivli, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally started repairs following mid-day's report on February 5.

The incident, which happened in July 2023, when a tree collapsed onto the park's railing, prompted the concerned residents' association to file a complaint with the BMC. This incident left the park, a popular spot for children's evening play and senior citizens' morning walks, with a gaping hole, raising safety concerns.

Residents had been anxiously awaiting a resolution, particularly given the escalating issues just outside the park. Activities such as alcohol consumption and smoking on footpaths, as well as inside parked cars surrounding the garden, had further heightened worries about the overall security of the area.

Following our report carried out yesterday (February 5), the BMC has initiated repair work to reinstate the damaged wall and railing. Residents have responded positively to the action taken by BMC. A local told mid-day said, "I come for a morning walk daily. This morning (February 6), I was very happy to see that the repair work had started."

Another regular visitor requesting anonymity, while talking to mid-day said, "My children visit the garden every day, engaging in recreational activities and socialising with other kids. It's a relief that they can now play without the constant concern of encountering individuals with alcohol issues entering through the broken wall."

Advocate Godfrey Pimenta thanked mid-day for taking up the issue saying, "Thanks to mid-day and the BMC for swiftly addressing the concerns of park residents and visitors. With the breach point closed, there's now a sense of security."

An official from BMC R-central Ward Gardens Department said, "The construction and repair of the structure has already started and we are positive that it will be completed in the next few days. The repair work has been assigned to engineers, who will take necessary action and steps to ensure the breach point is repaired."

Sandhya Nandedkar, assistant municipal commissioner, R-central ward told mid-day, "We have undertaken various repair works at the ward level. The repair of this wall and railing was taken up immediately after we came to know about the security concerns faced by the visitors. The structure will be ready soon."