Officials must get cracking on Santacruz garden

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Launched with great fanfare in November 2017, Circle Garden on Linking Road in Santacruz was supposed to become one of the major landmarks in the western suburbs. However, mid-day has reported that what was supposed to be a landscaped, eye-pleasing garden-cum-traffic island has become an illegal kabootar khaana.

The Circle Garden, under the Daulat Nagar project, was inaugurated in the presence of politicians and cine stars. It aimed to give citizens a better, cleaner and beautiful Santacruz.

The garden stands at one end of the Linking Road. Apart from greenery, it was supposed to have four laser-lit fountains and a dedicated walkway for senior citizens. During a visit, mid-day found a man sitting under an umbrella doing brisk business selling pigeon feed.

The portion that leads to a helipad was being used as a dump yard for dilapidated cars.

The local corporator has claimed that a developer was responsible for the garden. The developer has a complicated excuse about some delay but has promised that the garden will be ready in two years.

Excuses and that timeline are hugely disappointing in a city that needs every inch of greenery. One cannot fathom why this plot has not been converted to the pleasant garden that was envisaged.

With criminal neglect like this, ‘climate consciousness', ‘eco-friendly' and ‘going green' are little more than empty, fashionable phrases. Senior citizens are literally squeezed out of space. With its dangerous sidewalks, crazy traffic, handkerchief-sized homes and frantic family life, the silver-haired set need an oasis in their second innings. A well-kept garden can be their spot for peace and a little getaway.

Corporators, developers you need a conscience and commitment to see this through.