Mumbai, March 10 On Tuesday, legislators from the opposition, as well as the ruling BJP, raised concerns in the Maharashtra legislative council regarding the proposed 295-acre Mumbai Central Park project, alleging a lack of transparency in the planning process and warning that it could affect the city's open spaces.
Responding to the discussion in the House, state minister Uday Samant assured the members that there would be no commercialization of the open space under the project.
He said a presentation on the project would be made to all legislators from Mumbai, and written suggestions would be invited from them, and announced that a meeting in this regard would be convened in the presence of Urban Development Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Raising the issue, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir said that more than 100 architects and planners had opposed the Mumbai Central Park proposal, claiming that it would adversely affect the city's open spaces and environment.
"These areas are the water bodies of Mumbai and should continue to remain open. If concrete structures are built in the name of Central Park, it will affect the water percolation process. We should listen to experts and there should be no commercial development in this area," Ahir said.
He also opposed the proposal for a new helipad under the plan and urged the government to utilize the existing facility.
Ahir further demanded that infrastructure for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses be developed alongside the coastal road.
Shiv Sena (UBT) member Anil Parab also called for a transparent planning process for the Central Park project.
Responding on behalf of the Urban Development Department, Samant said that the Central Park would be developed on a total proposed area of 8,55,198 square metres and would be designed on the lines of major parks in the UK and the US to attract domestic and international tourists.
"The state government or the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has no intention of commercializing the open space in this project. There will be no commercialization of the open space in the Central Park project," Samant said.
He said the plan regarding a sports complex within the park had not yet been finalised and the government was open to suggestions.
According to the minister, although 102 people were reported to have opposed the project, the letter submitted to the government did not carry individual signatures.
Congress leader Satej Patil objected to this remark, saying the letter had been sent through an organization and therefore individual signatures of all 102 persons were not necessary.
"In the name of Central Park, underground facilities are proposed to be constructed within one kilometre of the sea coast. This could have adverse environmental consequences. This open space is the lungs of Mumbai and must be protected for present and future generations," Patil said.
Samant further said that the proposed helipad would be developed under the public-private partnership model by Raymond Limited Aviation Division at the coastal road jetty facility, and apart from VIP movement, it would also be available for public use in medical and other emergencies, while generating revenue for the BMC.