MUMBAI: With BMC cutting funding for open spaces by 25%, Congress is crying foul that while BMC approved a plan to spend Rs 6.1 crore on revamping Shivaji Park, which is has corporators and MLAs from Shiv Sena, it is not giving any funds to develop gardens like Kalina’s Joseph Baptista garden or Kalina talao. Congress alleged that BMC is only speeding funds on the G-North (Dadar, Mahim) and G-South (Lower Parel, Worli) wards, which are Sena strongholds.
State environment minister Aaditya Thackeray is the MLA from Worli, Sena’s Sada Sarvankar is the MLA from Mahim. A bulk of corporators from the two areas are also from Shiv Sena.
In a letter to BMC commissioner Iqbal Chahal, Congress corporator from Kalina, Tulip Miranda said that despite several requests, BMC refused to begin the next phase of revamping Kalina talao, citing lack of funds—but agreed to give Rs 6.1 crore for Shivaji Park’s revamp. “Distribution of funds must not be biased, especially for gardens since this is the only amenity which tax payers use and is free,” Miranda said in her letter.
“I demand that justice be done to my ward no. 90 and more funds be allocated for development of the Joseph Kaka Baptista garden, spread over 4.5 acres,” Miranda said. Chahal has sanctioned a Rs 6.1-crore plan to revamp the 98,243 sq m Shivaji Park.