New policy on open spaces soon: Chavan
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Wednesday that the government will soon draft a new policy for management of open spaces, especially in cities like Mumbai. He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had drafted a new policy regarding open spaces after the earlier caretaker policy was put on hold. However, the state government had raised some queries regarding the draft and the BMC is now reviewing it.
This is an important issue. We had received a new policy for approval from BMC, but it was returned to them with queries. At this moment, they are considering it and we will take appropriate decision soon, said Chavan.
Minister of State for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav told the Legislative Council that there were 877 plots reserved for open spaces and eight of them had been given to private agencies under the caretaker policy. Two of these – Kamla Vihar group and Matoshree Arts Trust – had violated the provisions of the policy. Jadhav added that notice had been issued to both groups and the matter was challenged in court. It is currently being heard in the Bombay High Court.
Jadhav said it has been decided that in the new Development Plans reservations for playground and recreation, grounds will be made as per the population of the area. He added that the law holding ward officer and police officer responsible for encroachment on open spaces was pending before the President of India for final approval.