State govt says 25 open spaces in Mumbai will be taken back in 15 days

The parks are from the 216 open spaces allotted to private organisations under BMC’s maintenance policy between 1987 and 2006.

The state government on Monday announced that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take over 25 recreation grounds and playgrounds in the city that are maintained by organisations controlled by leading politicians, within the next 15 days.

The state government on Monday announced that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take over 25 recreation grounds and playgrounds in the city. (HT File)

The parks are from the 216 open spaces allotted to private organisations under BMC’s maintenance policy between 1987 and 2006, before chief minister Devendra Fadnavis scrapped the policy two years ago. Most of them had been converted into private clubs and violated the requirement of allotting a specified area for public use.

Minister of state for urban development, Ranjit Patil, told the house that 187 agreements have been scrapped. Of the remaining 29, four are mired in litigation, while the remaining will be restored in the next two weeks. He also said that the parks will be taken away from organisations, irrespective of their political mentorship. He was responding to the Opposition daring the state to scrap the deals with organisations which are controlled by political leaders of ruling parties, including minister of state for housing Ravindra Waikar and BJP MP Gopal Shetty. When Shiv Sena legislator Anil Parab questioned if the ground allotted to Mumbai Cricket Association in Kandivli, will also be restored, Patil said the ground has been given on 30 years lease and will be taken back if it has violated norms.