Mumbai: Former Bandra West corporator Asif Zakaria criticised BMC for allowing a contractor to occupy an open space on a reserved garden plot behind Oceanic Society on Sherly Rajan Road, off Carter Road in Bandra West.Zakaria said the plot—meant to be developed as a public garden—was instead handed over for use as a chowki, material storage area and site office. “Neighbouring residents have repeatedly complained, but to no avail,” he said, pointing out that BMC tender conditions clearly state that contractors are required to make their own arrangements at their own cost. “As per standard BMC tender conditions, BMC contractors are required to make their own logistical and operational arrangements at their own cost. It therefore raises serious concern as to under what authority a reserved garden plot was allotted for contractor use by the H/West ward and how such permission could even be granted. Why was a public recreational space prioritised for contractor storage instead of safeguarding it for citizens?”Questioning the civic body’s decision, Zakaria asked on what basis the BMC was permitting the use of a designated garden plot instead of developing it as planned. “Why is a reserved green space being treated as a convenience zone for contractors?” he asked.He also pointed to the larger issue of shrinking public spaces. Zakaria said that the H West ward has barely 0.84 square metres of open space per person, as per a recent survey. “Every square metre matters,” he said. “Open spaces are not conveniences for contractors. They belong to citizens.”When contacted, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of BMC H West ward Dinesh Pallewad said the green parcel is already proposed to be developed into a garden by the Garden Infrastructure Cell (GIC) department, and that the process is at an advanced stage.“In the interim, the contractor sought permission to set up a chowki for a period of 2 months, which was granted. This is strictly a temporary arrangement,” Pallewad said.Civic officials added that the plot in question was handed over to the BMC by a neighbouring housing society after its development, and is now earmarked for use as a public garden.
