Multipurpose garden

Residents of Sheth Heights complain that MCGM has erected a makeshift shed on a playground that is being maintained by them for the last two years. Faisal Tandel reports

Until last week, one could say that the residents of Sheth Heights were busy living every average Mumbaikar's dream. In this space-starved city, they had an open space, albeit in the form of a public garden, to themselves. While the garden still remains, its visitors have changed.
Residents allege that Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) built a makeshift tin shed on the well-maintained garden opposite RCF Colony playground to facilitate accommodation of labourers laying drainage water pipes near Aashish Talkies.
Puran Singh, secretary of Sheth Heights, says, "On January 21, we saw a big trailer entering the park along with a big crane. Residents of Sheth Heights tried stopping the unloading, but the representative of the contractor handed us a copy of the approval from MCGM. The approval included a lot of clauses."  Residents question that how can MCGM suddenly lay claim on the garden when it hasn't maintained it for the so many years.
Singh, however, claims that the approval only contained permission to construct a MCGM site office and not a shed. He says, "The approval letter stated that a site office measuring 20 x 3 meters can be constructed on the playground, however on January 22, a shed for labourers was constructed, thus illegally occupying the area."
Deepak Wadhwani, civic activist from Chembur and resident of Sheth Heights, alleges,  "The contractor is openly violating the rules and MCGM is keeping its eyes closed. It can be noticed that all these actions are mainly performed on weekends when MCGM office is closed and officials cannot be contacted. We request the authority for the shed to be removed with immediate effect and restored the garden to its original condition."
According to residents, MCGM stopped paying attention to the garden soon after building it. However, instead of complaining to the authorities, the residents of Sheth Heights took matter into their own hands and started taking care of the garden themselves. The residents even contribute funds towards the maintenance of the garden.
The well-maintained MCGM garden is used by residents of Sheth Heights and nearby Galaikotwala Society.
Residents have informed Raja Mahoululkar, local corporator, about the problem. He has promised to pursue the issue with the authorities on an urgent basis.
Bhanwar Singh, contractor head, Neev Infrastructure Limited, says, "The work of the water improvement will go on till August 11, 2013. We never argued with residents when they stopped us while working as we were given permission by MCGM to erect the shed. However, we have stopped work. We are waiting for MCGM officials to respond to the complaints of residents,"

Official quote
"The plot is reserved for a playground. We received complaint from nearby residents, but as the garden doesn't come under our department we can't take any action. The permission for the temporary chowky was given by BMC assistant engineer of M east ward," says an official of garden department, M east ward.
"I have just been assigned the M/east vicinity and the place is new to me. I will visit the playground within a week and confirm whether the permission for temporary chowky by the officials is appropriate or not. If the permission is not appropriate then action will be taken or the chowky will be separated from the playground," Amit Dave, ward officer, M east ward.