Builder, Sena corporator have seized our park: Wadala locals

Builder, Sena corporator have seized our park: Wadala locals
Residents ask BMC to take over the ground; corporator claims it will be turned into a park for the elderly.

Incensed with a property developer and a Shiv Sena corporator for taking over a recreation ground meant for public use, residents of Wadala have demanded the BMC to forcibly reclaim the open space. In a letter submitted to municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, the Wadala East Citizens Committee has alleged that the firm, Dosti Realty, ostensibly handed over a plot in their neighbourhood to the city corporation but in reality forbade the public access to the ground.

Local Shiv Sena corporator Trishna Vishwasrao, who is the leader of the party in the BMC, lives in Dosti Acres, which abuts the contentious plot and whose residents are allowed exclusive access to the open space. A letter issued by Vishwasrao to locals last month states that the ground “will be kept open on all days in the evening from 5.30 to 7 pm only for senior citizens from Dosti Acres.” The corporator has a home in Dosti Florantine, which is located in Dosti Acres.

Civic officials said no such claims can be made to plots handed over to the BMC, adding that Dosti Realty had handed over control of two recreational grounds in the area to the civic body. However, while paperwork indicates that the BMC holds these two parcels, it has taken possession of only one plot. “The other recreational ground continues to remain with Dosti Realty. This is BMC property. The plot must be kept open for all. The BMC is not taking action against them. Vishwasrao has used her official letterhead to take over the plot,” said Rakesh Patil of the committee, in his complaint to Kunte.

The residents have urged the city corporation to forcibly take over the plot, displaying signboards declaring its status as a recreational ground reserved for public use.

When contacted, Alka Sasane, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, F-North Ward said she would ask the developer to open up the plot for public use.

“Following complaints from residents I had written a stern letter to the developer to hand over the plots. After that, two recreational grounds were duly handed over. We have taken possession of one of the plots and it is open to all. The other plot too has been handed over to the BMC but the developer has installed security there. Exclusive use for Dosti Acres residents or senior citizens isn’t allowed. We will ask the developer to open the ground for all,” Sasane said.

Vishwasrao claimed that she had requested the developer to deploy security guards to keep away unsavoury hangers-on at the plot. “It was kept shut for a long time and it was in very bad shape. Drug addicts and other anti-social elements had colonised the space. I got a lot of complaints from residents about it. At the same time, senior citizens complained that they have no place to walk. So I requested the BMC to convert this plot into a senior citizens’ park,” Vishwasrao said.

“Dosti Realty has handed over the two plots to the BMC. There has been misuse by certain elements at one of the grounds and police have been called in time and again to secure the area. It is with the best interest of residents in mind that we have secured this area. We’re considering the local corporator’s proposal to convert this plot into a park for the elderly,” the spokesperson said.