BMC Gardens to remain open 24 X 7 !
Mulund’s Lala Tulsiram Udyan Gets Lukewarm Response!
Mulund: Mumbaikars rarely visit gardens with their families and, when they do visit, the whistle of the guard alerting closure of the garden is almost painful. But now, from Monday, September 9, Mumbaikars have got the liberty to spend time to their heart’s content in the civic gardens without any security guards disturbing their joy!
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, Pravin Singh Pardeshi, in a path-breaking decision, has decided to keep civic parks open 24X 7, allowing Mumbaikars to inhale fresh air even after coming home late at night after work!!
According to information shared by a BMC official, “The decision is taken by the BMC after taking into consideration Mumbaikars’ demand to spend longer hours in civic parks. Initially, BMC increased the time limit to 16 hours and now it has nodded for 24 hours.” The official added, “Right now, on an experimental basis, one civic garden will remain open 24 hours in each BMC ward of Mumbai. Since ‘B’ Ward does not have a garden, 23 gardens in Mumbai will be open 24X7.” “Before implementing the 24X7 policy, BMC would be employing adequate security measures so that people visiting the gardens at night are not harassed by thugs or anti-socials,” he informed.
An official of the BMC T-Ward Garden Department told Home Times, “In Mulund, Lala Tulsiram Udyan located on Devidayal Road and opposite the BEST bus depot has been selected to keep open 24X7.” He informed, “The garden has been selected because it is not only Mulund’s largest and widely spread out garden, but it has many more facilities for both kids and senior citizens. It also has a provision of public toilet. Besides, the garden is thronged by a large number of people from Mulund and its adjoining suburbs.”
Informing about the public response, BMC T-Ward Garden Department official told Home Times, “The response of the public is terrific. People are delighted but due to the monsoon, the rush is lukewarm. Right now, at night, nobody throngs the garden. However, after the monsoon, we expect a tremendous response from people.”
There is a mixed reaction amongst Mulundkars about the BMC decision to keep the open civic gardens 24×7. People who come home late after work are much delighted. A youth said, “I generally come home at 10 pm and go out for a walk at 11pm. In the absence of a garden, I satisfied myself by walking on deserted roads but now, with civic garden open 24X7, it will be much beneficial for people like me.” “The experience of strolling in the garden is much better than walking on roads,” he declared.
However, in contrast, a lady said, “The idea of opening garden 24 hours is ridiculous because, usually, Mumbaikars are awake till mid-night. After that nobody will access the garden except anti-social elements and love-birds. Hence, BMC must give up the stupid idea and stop wasting Mumbaikars’ hard-earned money.”
The gardens in Mumbai that will remain open 24×7 are Cooperage Bandstand Garden, Bhagwandas Todi Garden, Bindu Madhav Thackeray Garden and Dr. Ambedkar Udyan amongst others.
