Sceptical citizens demand water-tight policies…..Sukhada Tatke
Mumbai: Memories of the controversial caretaker policy still fresh in their minds,citizens remain sceptical of the guidelines being formulated to preserve water bodies in the city.Activists are hoping the policy is water tight and leaves no scope for misuse as the one on open spaces.
While some question the need to involve private entities in the maintenance of public spaces,others feel its the only way out since the upkeep of water bodies is an expensive affair.Maintaining open public spaces is the primary responsibility of the government.Private players should be involved as a last resort when the government has tried and not succeeded, said Vidya Vaidya,Bandra resident and crusader for the protection of open spaces.It is a shame that the very same government has also allowed constructions to come on ponds, she added.
Juhu Welfare Citizens Trust member Sherley Singh,along with others,including Congress MLA Sanjay Nirupam had first proposed this plan to the BMC.Singh argued the involvement of corporate bodies would only help better the condition of ponds.While making the policy,the government needs to be sure that its only hiring the corporate to carry out the work.At no point should the private organization feel that it has a stake in the area.This way the government can oversee maintenance and quality of the work will also be good, she said.Nirupam said the benefits would be many and proper implementation would put the city on the right track.The lakes will not only be preserved but natural water springs will also be identified.With proper planning,we can also put the water to either potable or non-potable use, Nirupam said.