MUMBAI: Resident groups and activists have written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention to cancel the allotment of three reserved open spaces in Juhu and Andheri (West) to the Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM).TOI had last week reported that BMC and MHADA had allotted three plots to the trust.The Gulmohar Area Societies Welfare Group (GASWG) and RTI activist Anil Galgali have urged the CM to ensure the plots remain reserved open spaces, accessible to the public in accordance with the Development Plan (DP).The BMC has proposed allotting the 12-acre Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Andheri (West) to SVKM at an annual rent of about Rs 21 lakh along with a 50% share in revenue.
3 plots, 16 acres
Separately, MHADA has allotted two open spaces measuring nearly four acres in Juhu and DN Nagar to the trust.One of these, Lokmanya Tilak Udyan in Juhu, is currently maintained by the BMC and used by local residents. The allotments have also been opposed by Mumbai BJP chief and MLA Ameet Satam.In a letter to the CM, GASWG said the plots are reserved gardens, playgrounds and recreation grounds that are held in public trust and cannot be handed over for the exclusive use of a private trust.“If the BMC finds these plots inadequately maintained, the remedy is to allocate municipalfunds and personnel, not barter away public land,” the letter stated.It was signed by Ashok Pandit, Bharat Shetty and architect PK Das.Galgali demanded immediate suspension of both proposals, disclosure of all documents and feasibility studies related to the allotments, and continuation of BMC management to ensure unrestricted public access.SVKM president and BJP MLC Amrish Patel denied any irregularities, saying due process had been followed.“We will utilise these plots for creating sports facilities for 52,000 students. There will be no construction,” he said. MHADA Vice-President Sanjeev Jaiswal, Chief Officer Milind Borkar and BMC Additional Commissioner Avinash Dhakane did not respond to TOI’s queries.
