The stage has been built with funds from local MLA Dilip Lande. Locals are asking if Mhada’s permission was taken for the structure, which has eaten into the ground’s open area.
Representatives of housing societies such as Powai Lake Heights, Powai Cosmopolitan, Jaltarang, and Powai Sarovar have submitted their objections to Mhada, BMC and the police.
“Youngsters used to earlier play cricket and football in this open ground, meant for use by nine to ten housing societies nearby. In the last few days, locals were surprised to see hectic construction activity inside the ground, with a poster of the local MLA (Lande) displayed outside saying that a sabha mandap is being built,” said a resident of Powai Cosmopolitan. “Some people working for the MLA told us the stage will be used for the upcoming Durga Puja. The festival is celebrated here every year, but no such permanent stage structure was built before.”
In urban areas with dense constructions, public grounds meant for sport must not be tampered with or reduced by building permanent constructions on them. Rules of civic and housing bodies like the BMC and Mhada must be adhered to, to ensure that such spaces are zealously guarded. Lawmakers who are keen to provide other amenities in such grounds must consult the local community and authorities so that no rules are broken.
Another resident said, “We fear the stage will be later used for commercial activities like weddings and music shows. Only a few will thus benefit by misusing a ground meant for the public.”
Lande, MLA of the Chandivali constituency, told TOI, “I decided to use funds for the sabha mandap only because I received many requests from the local public that they needed this construction. Many local women had told me they worship an old banyan tree at the ground and so wanted a circular construction around it. I will get the sabha mandap removed if local people are against it. I am here to serve the people. Mhada’s office had been informed about the construction for their approval.”
Environmentalist D Stalin of the NGO Vanashakti said, “A permanent construction of any size should not be done inside RG open plots, as these are supposed to be reserved open spaces for general public use. Many politicians try to woo voters by suddenly using their funds to build structures inside open public grounds. The rules and laws of Mhada, BMC and other government agencies must not be sidestepped for courting popularity in one’s constituency.”
RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan said, “Senior officials of Mhada must be pulled up and penalized if they have knowingly allowed this permanent construction to take place inside the RG plot. It also must be noted that the MLA has used taxpayers’ money to fund this construction, to which some residents have objected. Even in the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), it is noticed that some corporators use public funds to construct libraries and toilets inside civic gardens, even though many locals do not want these structures, as they reduce open space. However, civic contractors benefit in these developments, while many residents feel helpless.”
