Mumbai:
The construction of a new garden at Bandra Bandstand is yet another effort by the BMC to increase open spaces in the city.
While the land is owned by the BMC, it was being maintained by private contractors. "The space was not well-maintained and the umbrella-seating structure had become quite weak. We have cordoned off the area," said an official from the BMC's Gardens Department. Shanties built across the compound wall were a nuisance, too. "The encroachments adjacent to the compound wall have been removed and repair work is on," said the official.
"I come here every day and it's pleasant to sit by the sea. But, over the past two years, the condition of the area has deteriorated," said Ravi Jaiswal, a student at Father Agnel Institute, Bandra.
Assistant municipal commissioner of H West Ward, Sunil Dhamne, said, "I planned to clear the encroachments last year itself and I will see to it that it is renovated, repaired and maintained well now."
29 gardens in city In 2011-2012, the BMC spent Rs 60.54 crore on the development and beautification of 29 gardens, which were inaugurated by Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray. Over the last three years, 114 gardens have been developed, while 13 more have been planned for the year 2012-2013.