‘Garbage, drain have made Malad garden inaccessible’

Even as the civic body considers the purchase of three more open space plots in Malad (East) to develop them for recreational purposes, locals have criticised it for the poor upkeep of existing gardens and playgrounds in the suburb, Poorvi Kulkarni reports.

Even as the civic body considers the purchase of three more open space plots in Malad (East) to develop them for recreational purposes, locals have criticised it for the poor upkeep of existing gardens and playgrounds in the suburb.

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A case in point is the state of the General Arun Kumar Vaidya garden near Suchidham residential complex in Malad (East). Residents complain that the area in and around the garden is so badly neglected by the Brihanmmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that the garden has become unusable.

The open drain alongside the garden, uncollected garbage and inadequate security in the garden premises are the biggest issues, say residents. “The stench around the garden and the number of mosquitoes because of the open drain at the entrance have made the place filthy,” said resident Sanket Jaiswal, 43.

“One wants to go for a walk, but it’s so unhygienic that we feel we are risking our health going there. It defeats the purpose of the garden,” said Gaur Banik, 60, another resident.

Residents said they have written letters and sent emails to the P-north ward office and to the local corporator, but it has not helped.

Devendra Jain, assistant commissioner of P-north ward, said: “I will visit the garden and look into the residents’ grievances.”

Sayli Varise, the local corporator from Shiv Sena, said she had not received any complaint.