Open spaces in Mumbai out of caretakers’ clutches, back with locals

Public open spaces are finally coming home to those they actually belong: the public. Private caretakers of such spaces can no longer impose arbitrary restrictions on entry of locals or shoo them off the recreational facilities they build.

Two years after the government stayed its controversial caretaker policy, the BMC has come up with a new recreation policy which allows residents a much bigger say on the grounds in their locality.

According to the policy, 75% of the plot will be available for the general public at any time, and the caretaker will be allowed to construct gyms, swimming pools and restaurants on only 20% of the land with equivalent floor space index (FSI).

Moreover, local residents and NGOs will get priority when bids are floated for development of any plot.

“Under the new recreational ground (RG) and playground (PG) policy, we will invite bids in the open market and the highest bidder will get the right to develop the plot. The funds collected from the caretaker will be treated as a green fund, which will be utilised for the development of the city,” a senior civic official said.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had recently asserted that the general public will have a ‘say’ in the revised RGPG policy.

“We have finalised the draft policy and will call for suggestions and objections from citizens. The copy of the policy will be available at all 24 civic ward offices. The revised policy keeps the interest of the general public in mind,” said Rahul Shewale, chairman, BMC’s standing committee.

The plot will go to private caretakers only when residents’ associations don’t express willingness to maintain it.

“We will follow a transparent procedure. The general public can avail of facilities offered by clubs and gyms at nominal fees. We will have a committee that will keep control over the fees of the clubs,” Shewale said.    

He added the BMC is trying to bring the existing clubs and gymkhanas in the purview of new RGPG policy.

In the past, private players who took over as caretakers rarely allowed the public to use the rest of the ground. MIG club in Bandra and Matoshree club in Jogeshwari are a case in point.

“Under the revised policy, this will not happen. The caretaker has to develop the 75% of the plot spending not less than what the BMC spends on its gardens,” said a senior civic official requesting anonymity.