CITIZENS FOR THE CITY Victory for locals as Mhada stays pvt work on open plot

Mumbai: Mhada on Tuesday stayed construction by a private institute on a plot of land at Adarsh Nagar in Oshiwara, one-third of which was reportedly reserved for a municipal school and the rest a playground (PG) for the school.

    Mhada's decision to grant a stay on construction has come as a victory for members of the Oshiwara-Lokhandwala Citizens' Association (OLCA) from Tarapore Towers and Mhada's HIG Complex,who had protested and issued legal notices to Mhada, BMC and the school trust, demanding that construction of the private building be stopped immediately. 
    OLCA members met Mhada CEO Satish Gavai on Tuesday and pointed out how children from the two housing societies were deprived of a playground. "Gavai said that he will stay construction work at the plot and will ask the chief operating officer to inquire into the matter," said Sumesh Lekhi, member, OLCA. 
    Despite several attempts, Gavai could not be reached for comments. 
    Before taking to the streets on July 22 or sending legal notices, the association members filed queries under the RTI Act and discovered the original purpose of the plot, which is sandwiched between two Mhada buildings in Adarsh Nagar. 
    In 2007, Mhada reportedly leased out the adjoining playground to the school trust for around Rs 1.40 crore for 99 years. "Residents had been negotiating with Mhada for the playground since 1996, but in 2007, it was leased out to the school at a throwaway price. We wanted our playground back," said Rakesh Coelho, trustee of Tarapore Towers. 
    Rakesh Coelho, who is also a member of the OLCA, said that the idea of an international school coming up on a plot that was meant for poor kids defeats the entire purpose of town planning. 
    "It will create a traffic nightmare. We found out that a plot reserved for a playground had been allotted to a profit-making educational institute. The trust of the citizens has been broken. Open spaces and playgrounds are being taken away from our children. We want our open spaces back," said Coelho. 
Times View: A great victory for citizen power T his victory for Oshiwara residents should serve as an eye-opener to every Mumbaikar concerned about Mumbai's health. It is a great victory for citizen power and shows the citizen's voice still counts if channelised intelligently. Government agencies should be similarly sensitive to citizens' concerns in other areas.

Construction activity at the plot