After being encroached for nearly 15 years, a six-acre land parcel that was owned by the suburban collector of Mumbai, has now been handed over to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for developing a garden on the plot. Located in the densely populated Malvani locality of Malad in suburban Mumbai, this plot was originally reserved for setting up a garden space. This land parcel is located very close to Poisar River and has the elevated Metro 2A line passing above it. However, the civic body said that the plot was encroached by furniture sellers and local small scale business owners since 2008, owing to which it could not initiate any development works on this till date. This plot is also adjacent to the Charkop depot of the Mumbai Metro and at present has 21 illegal structures which includes storage houses of old furniture. The plot also houses a godown of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner, said that the local ward office has started issuance of notices to all the encroachers. “At present, we have asked the occupants of this plot to furnish paper document that would justify their ownership on this plot. Those who have set up their establishments post 2007-08 will be asked to relocate, if they don’t agree, then we will have to demolish the structures,” Dighavkar told Express. “The MMRDA’s godown may also be shifted since at present it does not serve any concrete purpose considering the Metro depot is fully operational,” he said. Since this plot is reserved as an open space, a theme park will be developed on it and in future a road will be constructed that will run parallel below the elevated Metro line and will connect Charkop with Malad intersecting the Poisar River, he added. Meanwhile, Gopal Shetty, BJP MP from Mumbai North constituency, has also written to the BMC stating that the plot should be developed on the lines of a Vedic Theme Park that exists in Noida’s Sector 78. Shetty also said that the collector’s move of handing over the plot to BMC has come after his consistent follow-ups. “A once neglected dumping ground in Noida is known today as Vedic-Van, where visitors can immerse themselves in ancient India’s rich heritage and spiritual essence. Thus, I would request you to consider my above suggestion and ensure the said land is used for construction of a much-needed Vedic theme park with the core objective of benefitting common people,” said Shetty in his letter.
