Shilpagram, Mumbai’s own crafts village modelled on Dilli Haat, was thrown open to the public on Sunday.
The crafts village-themed garden in Jogeshwari (East) had been awaiting inauguration for almost a year. Mumbaikars will now be able to make use of the open space, but the exhibit area is still not functional as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to find staff for it.
The garden had been in the offing since 2014, with an 8.4-acre plot earmarked for it in Poonam Nagar. It was finally ready by the end of last year. Shilpagram has murals of Maharashtra’s bara balutedar or the 12 communities representing key professions crucial to rural life, such as potters, barbers and carpenters.
It will also have an area for exhibitions dedicated to handicraft and folk art. It has a dedicated hawking area, where people will be able to buy handicrafts or artwork. However, the exhibit area will not hold sales right now as adequate staff has not been appointed.
Since this is the first time the BMC is executing such a project, it did not have a policy in place about the kind of activities that will be allowed in the facility, the products to be sold and the charges to be levied. Besides, it did not have dedicated staff to manage the entire operation, delaying the inauguration for almost a year.
After media reports questioning the delay, the green space was finally inaugurated on Sunday by Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray and Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.
Anant Nar, the Shiv Sena corporator from Jogeshwari, said, “The village will be open as per municipal timings. I have been told that a policy for the garden is ready and will be tabled before the Improvements Committee soon. I have requested officers to appoint staff soon.”
Dr. Kishor Kshirsagar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Gardens), said the BMC has prepared a policy, and it has already been sanctioned. “We had to create two new posts of manager and assistant manager for the day-to-day operations of this place. We need someone with an understanding of art and culture. The department concerned is looking into it.”
The garden also has a gazebo, amphitheatre and fountain. It was developed at a cost of ₹25 crore.