Zahid Yunus Khan, a social worker, has submitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to the Bombay High Court. The petition calls for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take action on a reserved plot situated near Nargis Dutt Nagar at Bandra Reclamation. Khan’s initiative aims to address community needs by advocating for the development of this underutilized land.
Mumbai: Close on the heels of citizens, especially the football fraternity, fighting to save Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation, a 1.7 lakh sq ft plot in the same area may turn into a contested arena with a group of residents alleging dilly dallying on the part of BMC to develop the plot reserved for a burial ground each for Muslims and Christians, a crematorium for Hindus, and municipal dispensary and a garden. He added that around 1,000 residents have signed the letter requesting authorities to develop the plot as per the Development Plan (DP), which has been incorporated in the PIL.
“This reservation of 1.7 lakh sq ft of the land was made for the welfare of residents of Bandra West and Khar, who have long awaited a dedicated cemetery each for Muslims, Hindus and Christians, along with a much-needed green space and health facility for all,” said Khan. Assistant municipal commissioner of H-West ward Dinesh Pallewad, however, said the court’s directions were being followed scrupulously. We intend to develop the land, but will have to ensure that we follow due process of law,” he said.
The PIL alleged that despite MSRDC handing over the entire plot to BMC in phases, no work on the facilities has begun. The residents alleged that unauthorised occupation of the plot, including a labour ca-mp and two commercial hoardings, has fuelled the fear that perhaps BMC is delaying the development of the plot till it is “dereserved in the next DP. “The plan for the cemetery is already underway and we have submitted the proposed design to the municipal architect.