Mumbai: Ghatkopar park is a danger zone, say local residents

Locals claim renovation of the park has been stopped mid-way and the playground equipment that has been lying around carelessly can cause injuries to children. Pic/Sameer Markande

Rusty old play equipment lying unattended, in a haphazard manner at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Garden in Pantnagar, Ghatkopar, has become a cause for concern for parents. The locals claim that the renovation work of the park has been stopped mid-way and the playground equipment that has been lying dangerously, can cause injuries to children.

The angry residents have written to the civic body appealing to complete the revamp work soon. "As the park is close to my house, my child plays there with his friends every day. A few days ago, I found all the iron equipment placed on the side uncovered. This can cause injuries to children. Now, I do not send my child if there is no one to supervise," said Swati Arun, a mother of a 14-year-old.

Sandesh Kadam, another resident who visits the garden daily said, "I visit the garden daily with my three-year-old daughter. Recently, I found children playing on the equipment that was removed, which can be dangerous. This equipment has been lying here for two weeks."

Local activist Sachin Manjrekar has lodged a written complaint in this regard with the N ward office of the BMC. "For the past few days, work has stopped for an unknown reason. Some senior citizens and residents have expressed their concerns regarding the equipment lying around. I lodged a written complaint with the ward office. BMC should complete all work on a war footing as in a few days, summer vacations will start and visitors will increase," said Manjrekar.

Work in progress

"Work is in its final stage and it will be completed as soon as possible. We will take all precautionary measures," BMC Superintendent of Garden Sahebrao Gavit, said. "The play area in the park was below ground level, hence there were complaints of waterlogging during monsoon. This space is now being elevated and the work is underway. Equipment for the open gym has been installed on the elevated site and children's play equipment will be installed soon. We will also put a mat on the floor, in the children's playing area to prevent accidents," a BMC official from the garden department of the ward said.

"In the last financial year, BMC made a Rs 1.2 crore provision for minor repairs and civil work of the garden and playground in the N ward. Under these provisions, the work is being carried out," he added. "All play equipment in the park is old and rusty. We need to replace them with new ones. We will keep old equipment for audit and it will be sent to the storeroom soon," another official said.

Rs 1.2cr
Cost of repair work