Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has proposed to construct a depot on the spot where Mahim's only playground, Vitthalrao Harishchandra Desai Maidan, on Bhagoji Keer Marg is located
The playground in Mahim that the MMRCL wants for building a car depot for Metro-III. Pic/Tanvi Phondekar
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First, it was Aarey; now, it's Mahim - there seems to be no respite for city's paltry number of open spaces. The Metro-III project (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) is expected to take over another city playground. Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has proposed to construct a depot on the spot where Mahim's only playground, Vitthalrao Harishchandra Desai Maidan, on Bhagoji Keer Marg is located.
The MMRCL has already taken over a few other open spaces - Sane Guruji Udyan in Prabhadevi, part of Colaba Woods garden in Cuffe Parade, Oval Maidan in Churchgate and Azad Maidan at CST.
What about the alternatives?
According to the proposal tabled before BMC's improvements committee, MMRCL wants 2,862 sqm of the 3,500-sqm Desai Maidan for construction of the depot.
Speaking to mid-day, former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Virendra Tandel said, "The ground was abandoned for the last so many years; it had become a haven for drug addicts and anti-social elements. Over the past five years, I followed up on its beautification. Last year, I spent R8 lakh from my corporator funds to instal an open-air gym and develop a play area for children. Schoolkids and youths frequent it for sports. Where will they go if the ground is taken over?"
"MMRCL wants to take over the playground despite the fact that there is an available open plot, which is right next to the playground. There are slums as well as other spaces where the depot can be constructed. Why then is MMRCL hell-bent on taking over a well-maintained playground if alternatives are available?" he questioned.
Residents of the area, too, are fuming over MMRCL's plan. Speaking to mid-day, a local, Datta Patil, 55, said, "This playground is very old; in fact, it's named after my grandfather. I used to go there to play as a child. This move is nothing but authorities wanting to usurp the plot in the name of Metro."
"This is the only playground in the vicinity. Children as well as senior citizens will be deprived of a space to play on and jog or walk if it's given away for a depot," he added.
Tough opposition
On Thursday, after the Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP, Samajwadi Party and MNS opposed the proposal during the committee meeting, the discussion was put on hold. The proposal asks for 15 BMC plots for Metro-related work; of these, MMRCL wants four plots permanently.
In the meeting, Sena corporator and improvements committee chairman Anant Nar had refused to pass the proposal, saying that compromise with open spaces would not be allowed. He had also said that the proposal would affect BMC's projects, supposed to come up on some of the same plots.
A civic official said, "BMC can't hold the proposal indefinitely. Since the state is implementing the project, it can use its special power to take over the land from local bodies. As per section 520 C of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, the state is empowered to acquire a land in public interest."
The other side
"Desai Maidan is proposed to be used as a construction depot for Shitladevi station. As there is no other open space in the area, the land is proposed to be used temporarily to keep construction equipment and material. After the completion of the work, as per civic body's requirement, the ground will be restored to its original condition and handed over," said a spokesperson for MMRCL.
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