BMC turns a blind eye to open spaces in private properties

This leaves private open spaces vulnerable to misuse by builders, others

During its ongoing survey of the city for the draft development plan 2014-2034, the civic body has simply ignored several open spaces lying in private properties. Because the survey does not recognize these open spaces as such, the possibility exists that they will be built upon.

This is in addition to the fact that the civic body has already marked existing playgrounds (PGs) as recreation grounds (RGs). This change of name opens the door for construction on 15% of the land on these playgrounds.

In this way, the city might lose various private open spaces to developers, fear activists.

For instance, private layouts with recreation grounds such as Ghatkopar’s Garodia Nagar, Andheri’s Manish Nagar, as well as the various MHADA colonies across the city, might have to lose much of their open space because the survey does not recognise them.

BMC has previously said that it will deal with open spaces “separately”, whatever that means.

The activists have demanded that the BMC should have specific norms to protect the private spaces specified in the Development Plan 2014-2034.

A civic official said, “Once we mark the reservations, and bring out the DCR, we will give the citizens a clear update on the precautions we have taken to protect open spaces. We will not be releasing a separate list of open spaces yet.”