Residents of Andheri Lokhandwala fight illegal encroachments in BMC park
Residents of Andheri Lokhandwala fight illegal encroachments in BMC park
Residents in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, are campaigning for the removal of an alleged illegal gurdwara and open kitchen from a local park. They argue that the park is being used for religious purposes, which is depriving residents of open space and threatening the secular environment. Construction on the extension of a caretaker’s cabin began in March 2022, and despite complaints, the gurdwara was inaugurated in October. The open kitchen, initially started during the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to operate. The park was developed in 2003 and is currently maintained by Celebration Sports Club.
The allegedly illegal functioning of an open kitchen functioning from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Joggers Park in the neighbourhood has irked the residents of the posh Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri, a home to many Bollywood Celebrities.
On Tuesday, around 600 residents started an online signature Campaign against the illegal and unauthorized activities happening in the park meant for walk and for the
removal of the illegal structures.
Their grouse is that since October 2022, religious artefacts have been placed in the extended caretaker’s cabin at one end of the park, with symbols on the walls.
Prayers take place in this cabin throughout the day and this is disturbing them.
As per OP Monga, Chairman of the 25-member core committee formed for the campaign almost all the walkers, most of them senior citizens who come to the park are against it, as the park is being used for a purpose it was not intended for.
Monga went on to add that although it doesn’t occupy much space, the residents fear the use for religious purposes and functions is going to expand, depriving the residents of an open space. There was a wedding held in the gurdwara in December, and that may be the start of many. It is threatening the secular environment of the space.
Monga explains that construction on the extension of the caretaker’s cabin commenced in March 2022, after which the residents complained to the BMC’s
K/West ward office. In October 2023, even as the assistant commissioner assured them that the encroachments would be curbed, the gurdwara went ahead with its inauguration which took place with lots of fanfare and was live-streamed too.
The open kitchen commenced amidst the Covid-19 pandemic as a langar (free kitchen). The residents did not object to it, as the park was not being frequented often due to the lockdown. But even after the lockdown, the cooking continues in the enclosure at one end of the park.
More construction have been taking place in the middle of the park, which they suspected was for a toilet block that could be merged with the present toilet block, next to the unauthorised religious hall..But they have stopped it after the complaints.
The park was developed in 2003 using the MP Local Area Development funds, and by converting half the road shown in the Development Plan 2014-2034. It was made on the condition that whenever the BMC requires it for road extension, it will be given back.
It was then given to Celebration Sports Club to maintain, which is being misused.
The Club, however, has put up a notice refuting the claims which reads that “some mischievous elements are spreading rumors with an ulterior motive to further their personal agenda that a toilet is being constructed in the middle of the track, which is absolutely false. It is a storeroom to be used for maintenance”.
The illegal functioning of kitchen and Gurudwara are proving to be a disturbance peace of Lokhandwala.
News Edit K.V.Raman
