After collecting over 4,000 signatures against the proposed widening of roads, that would eat into three open spaces in Dadar Parsi Colony, citizens met Ramnath Jha, chairperson of the Mumbai Heritage Conversation Committee, stating their opposition to the plan. The meeting was held on Tuesday wherein Jha said that a meeting with all the stake holders will be called shortly, after the road department gives its say.
The delegation was led by the Muncherji Edulji Joshi Residents Association (MEJRA), which collected signatures of residents and those using the gardens to oppose any such plan. Muncherji Edulji Joshi planned Dadar Parsi Colony nearly 100 years ago, and it is now a heritage precinct which requires an NOC from the heritage committee.
The state government's plan of having all roads with a minimum width of nine meters, affects three gardens — Rustom Tirandaz Garden, Wadia Baug and Wadala Garden.
"Our forefathers when they planned the area, first planned the gardens then the trees and then the buildings. Since open spaces are shrinking in the city, we are opposing this," said Sheroy Daver, great grandson of Muncherji.
"If the government has to widen the roads, that does not mean they do it by reducing open spaces. We told him this and he gave us a patient hearing. We are also trying to get in touch with other committee experts and are seeking an appointment of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis," said Zarine Engineer, grand daughter of Muncherji and chairperson of MEJRA.
"We are afraid they will do this because they have already done the same with one open space in Matunga. When there is not even enough traffic on the inside roads, why do they want to widen them by taking away open spaces? Roads should not be widened at the cost of gardens," said Nikhil Desai, one of the people who was part of the delegation. Ramanath Jha did not respond to calls and SMS from DNA.
SAVING OPEN SPACE
- MEJRA collected signatures of over 4,000 residents and people who use the gardens to oppose the plan
- The state governments plan for wider roads affects three gardens in the Colony
- Once the road department responds, a meeting with all the stakeholders will be held
