Civic body allots recreational ground to corporator for gym

THE MATTER CAME TO LIGHT RECENTLY WHEN A LOCAL ACTIVIST FILED AN RTI ABOUT THE GARDEN

MUMBAI: Even as residents and activists fight for more open spaces in the city, it has come to light that the civic body had allotted the Yusuf Mehar Ali recreation ground for the construction of a gymnasium.

The matter came to light recently when a local activist filed an RTI (Right to Information) about the garden.

In 2005, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had granted permission to congress corporator Mohsin Haider to build a 5,000-sqft gymnasium using his councillor fund on the ground near Gilbert Hill in Andheri.

While there is no policy in place for giving recreational grounds and playgrounds for adoption, the gymnasium was adopted by Samantawadi Mahila Vikas Foundation in 2011 upon the recommendation of Haider. Civic authorities had called it a special case and agreed to give the gymnasium for 11 months on adoption basis.

“There is a separate policy wherein public utilities such as gymnasium and yoga centres can be given for adoption. There is nothing wrong as we have followed the procedure,” said Haider.

He said, “If an MP spent his fund to construct a gymnasium, according to the policy he has first right to recommend any organisaassistant

engineer (maintenance) of K-west ward (Andheri) Sanjay Borse said, “The zonal deputy municipal commissioner has powers to allot on adoption basis.”

However, activists have said the BMC has violated the rules.

Activist and resident Sayed Imam said, “Since last eight years BMC has said it cannot give or take open spaces for adoption and caretaking because there is no policy in place. However, in this case the BMC has violated the supreme court orders barring any development on recreational grounds and playgrounds.”

Imam said the gymnasium had never been operational.

In February 2015, resident Asif Sayyad had written a letter to the local ward officer about the poor condition of the gymnasium.

“I had asked the ward office to take over the gymnasium. However, no action has been taken,” said Sayyad.

In 2014 the gymnasium was adopted for 11 months by Mumbaikar Peace and Welfare Society recommended by former MP Gurudas Kamat, who utilised his MP fund to construct the