Mumbai: Close on the heels of citizens, especially the football fraternity, fighting to save Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation, a 1.7 lakh sq ft plot in the same area may turn into a contested arena with a group of residents alleging dilly dallying on the part of BMC to develop the plot reserved for a burial ground each for Muslims and Christians, a crematorium for Hindus, and municipal dispensary and a garden.Social worker Zahid Yunus Khan has filed a PIL in Bombay high court, seeking orders to BMC to develop the reserved plot located near Nargis Dutt Nagar at Bandra Reclamation.“This reservation of 1.7 lakh sq ft of the land was made for the welfare of residents of Bandra West and Khar, who have long awaited a dedicated cemetery each for Muslims, Hindus and Christians, along with a much-needed green space and health facility for all,” said Khan. He added that around 1,000 residents have signed the letter requesting authorities to develop the plot as per the Development Plan (DP), which has been incorporated in the PIL.The PIL alleged that despite MSRDC handing over the entire plot to BMC in phases, no work on the facilities has begun. The residents alleged that unauthorised occupation of the plot, including a labour ca-mp and two commercial hoardings, has fuelled the fear that perhaps BMC is delaying the development of the plot till it is “dereserved in the next DP.”Amjad Mushtaq Qureshi, a resident of Jamate Jamhuria in Bandra (W), said: “There is no kabrastan or crematorium for Hindus in Bandra West. We want BMC to complete these facilities as soon as possible.”Ganesh Jadhav, who lives near Bandra Reclamation, said Hindus have to go to either Bandra East or Khar as there is no cremation ground in Bandra West. “We fear that some builder might grab the land…if left unused for long,” he added.Assistant municipal commissioner of H-West ward Dinesh Pallewad, however, said the court’s directions were being followed scrupulously. “The plan for the cemetery is already underway and we have submitted the proposed design to the municipal architect. We intend to develop the land, but will have to ensure that we follow due process of law,” he said.
