New green haven for children, senior citizens at Cuffe Parade

While the rest of the city is complaining of lack of space for the children to play, Cuffe Parade will have two parks exclusively for children and senior citizens by the end of this month.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is redeveloping
two gardens opposite President’s Hotel. The cost of the project is estimated to be about Rs1.64 crore.

At present, both plots are in a bad state and are rarely used by residents, said Sunil Dhamne, assistant municipal commissioner, A ward. “The money has been sanctioned and the work on both parks will finish by the end of this month.” 

The two gardens, though adjacent to each other, are separated by a narrow path and collectively measure about 2,850 sq metres. “The smaller space, which is about 1,007 sq metres, has been earmarked as a children’s garden,” said Nitin Chaudhari, an officer from the garden department. It will have, among other things, swings, slides, seesaws, a pony track, and a few benches for parents.

The other plot, which measures 1,843 sq metres, will be made into a park for senior citizens. “We will put up iron grills similar to the ones at Oval Maidan,” said Dashrath Ghule, assistant engineer from the horticulture department.

“There will be a lawn, 1.2-km walking track surrounded by trees, playground and benches. Also, landscaping will be done to make the place more visually appealing,”

Ghule said that number of trees will remain the same and more plants will be planted along the walking track. Work on a well and borewell is also underway, officials said.

Without a doubt, residents are glad that the civic body is finally paying attention to the lack of green cover in the city. “The place was being misused by taxi drivers and bootleggers. It was being used like a toilet. It’s a good thing that the gardens will finally be put to proper use,” said Asha Dusija, a resident of the area.