The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) new draft policy on gardens, playgrounds (PGs), and recreation grounds (RGs) has repealed the previous caretaker policy, under which open spaces were given to private parties to maintain for several decades.
Now, the BMC has limited the duration of the adoption for private parties. However, activists have criticised the new policy and asked for the preservation of the open spaces.
Changes in Adoption Terms
Under the new policy, the local authority will now authorise the adoption of open spaces for only eleven months, three years, or five years, with several riders. However, a provision of the policy has raised many concerns. This provision allows private parties to "acquire" a municipal plot by paying the BMC 50% of the land value.
Detail of this Provision
The BMC has included a condition in the new draft policy. It says that the BMC will acquire plots by calculating the capital value of buildings and other facilities on the plots. Then, it will provide owners with only 50% of the invested cost after depreciation.
Additionally, the current capital value will not consider facilities built with funds from various government systems such as the BMC, District Planning Board, MP Local Development Fund, and MLA Local Development Fund.
Opposition
Activists have strongly objected to this open space strategy. They argue that the draft adoption policy has once again created third-party interest. This will leave plots for exploitation.
They argue that despite removing the controversial term "caretaker", the new draft adoption policy is essentially old wine in a new bottle. They highlight that it demonstrates the civic body's failure to reclaim its 51 open space plots previously granted under various policies.
Status of Open Space Plots
As per a June report by HT, 51 open spaces are still under private control. 20 of them are under long-term adoption, 20 under 11-month adoption with trusts for maintenance, and 11 under caretaker policy. The adopters now have the option to renew their agreement as per the new policy or purchase the plot by paying a fee.
Development of RGs and PGs
The draft policy emphasises that RGs and PGs should ideally be developed by BMC using its funds and contractors or through a public-private partnership (PPP) strategy. Adoption is only recommended in extreme cases with proper justification.
Local school associations and advanced locality managements (ALMs) will be given top priority for adopting RGs and PGs.
Access to PGs and RGs
The draft policy allows access to PGs and RGs for three hours each in the morning and evening, and all day on holidays. While minimum amenities will be provided free of charge, citizens will be charged a nominal fee for using sports and recreational facilities.
The BMC has invited public comments on the draft policy at its Byculla Zoo office by October 10, 2023.
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