Khar plot lost to slums, shops

Chennaiwadi, an 8,000 sq mt plot in Khar (W), was earmarked as a playground in the 1991 Development Plan. Today, it is full of encroachments such as slums and illegal shops.

Chennaiwadi, an 8,000 sq mt plot in Khar (W), was earmarked as a playground in the 1991 Development Plan. Today, it is full of encroachments such as slums and illegal shops.

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Hindustan Times called Ward Officer Manik Kshirsagar twice and sent him a text message but he did not respond.

Activist Aftab Siddiqui carried out a detailed investigation in the H West Ward — which comprises prime real estate destinations such as Bandra (W), Khar (W) and Santacruz (W) — and found that seven plots reserved for open spaces had been encroached upon. Among these, Chennaiwadi was the largest.

Blaming the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Siddiqui said: “An illegal commercial area has come up on land reserved for children to play on. This wouldn’t have been possible had the BMC not turned a blind eye to it.”

At Chennaiwadi, there is a booming readymade garments market, along with a real estate one. A shopkeeper said the shops were in high demand. “Ever since Chennaiwadi got ‘developed’, shops here command a monthly rent of Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.”

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