Govt refuses to change playground into theatre…..Sanjeev Shivadekar
MUMBAI: The government has rejected a civic body proposal to change the reservation of a Kandivli plot from a recreation ground to that of an auditorium.
“Building a playhouse is not admissible under the provisions of the development control regulation. So, the government has turned down the BMC proposal,” a senior urban development department official said. “Another reason for rejecting the suggestion is that the change would have robbed the city of another open space.”
Local MLA Yogesh Sagar first mooted the proposal to change the reservation of the plot near Khajuria Tank Road in Kandivli. In 2009, The BMC’s improvement committee passed the proposal and later, it was approved in its general body meeting. However, the government rejected the proposal.
Social service groups have welcomed the government’s decision. James John, a volunteer of AGNI, said, “An auditorium means business. The BMC did not think about children who need a ground to play, but it was looking out for those interested in commercial activities. It is good that the government has refused to change the reservation.”
However, Sagar has launched an attack on the government. “Open spaces are encroached upon, and soon after, these plots are given away to builders under slum redevelopment schemes. It is strange that the government is ready to hand over land free of cost to slum dwellers and developers, but not to tax payers.”
“An auditorium means business. When the BMC proposed to change the reservation of the Kandivli plot, it did not think about kids who need a ground to play, but it was looking out for those interested in commercial activities” said James John, an agni volunteer.