Work on adjoining plot leaves Oshiwara ground inaccessible

Despite getting the illegal structures on the reserved playground in Oshiwara cleared three months ago, the ground continues to remain inaccessible to citizens.

Despite getting the illegal structures on the reserved playground in Oshiwara cleared three months ago, the ground continues to remain inaccessible to citizens. Reason: the presence of parked trucks, cement deposits, steel rods and other raw materials for the construction of a seven-storey international school on the adjoining plot.

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“We have approached the authorities concerned. But, no action has been taken. We cannot allow our children to play on the ground amid the parked trucks,” said Ashoke Pandit, chairperson, Oshiwara Lokhandwala Citizens’ Association, which had filed a public interest litigation on the issue.

According to the petition filed by the association in January 2002, the state government had ordered the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to allot the plot to the Janata Education Society. “After hearing the statements made by the citizens and the education trustees, we had asked the education society to make the playground accessible to the locals,” said Niranjankumar Sudhanshu, chief officer, Mhada.

“It is the only open space in the area. The approach road to the ground is also very narrow, giving rise to safety concerns,” said Rakesh Coelho, trustee, Tarapore Towers.

Mhada officials claimed that fresh orders would be issued against the trust after verifying the situation. “We have received complaints from the citizens on the condition of the ground. We will take up the matter and issue orders,” said Sudhanshu.