Let’s respect public gardens like we do our homes

The maintenance of gardens has remained a tricky issue for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Representation pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Mumbai gardens are in focus again with bids falling short of cost of contracts to maintain city gardens. The maintenance of gardens is tricky, but it is imperative.

For the public, by and large, it is immaterial who these contracts are given to. Most of the time, laypeople may not even know.

What we need is good maintenance of gardens. These little havens are few and far between. Oasis in the concrete jungle that is Mumbai, it is vital that if we cannot increase their number, we at least look after them and maintain them well so that they are enjoyed by the public.

We need a robust security system for these gardens, so that they are safe for users. Sometimes, the security cabin is empty, at other times, the security personnel are aged and infirm. We see playground equipment especially a corner reserved for children, a shambles at times. This can be dangerous when children are accessing these play facilities.

Inadequate lighting is yet another bugbear dogging gardens across the city. Lighting must be bright and is a huge advantage when it comes to any anti-social activities within the garden. It is of course, tied to safety and therefore it must have priority in garden maintenance. We have witnessed several gardens where patches are dark, or the entire garden is very poorly lit making this dangerous especially for women, and senior citizens. Sometimes, the lights do not function, and at other times, they are broken and not replaced for months.

Finally, the ground surface, whether grass, tiled or paved of the garden must be in good condition, as you have power walking and running on the surface. Whoever is appointed as custodians of the garden, must be up to the task. People meanwhile, need to respect the facility and use it responsibly.