BMC’s plan to beautify Shivaji Park meets opposition

Mumbai: Apparently, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) requires consulting architects to repair a compound wall, create pedestrian and vehicular entry points, design tree protection, water supply and drainage, paving, signages, zebra crossing and repairs to a jogging track.

With a Rs 1-crore estimated project cost, the BMC plans to develop and beautify Shivaji Park, Mumbai’s cricketing Mecca. And for these listed project components, it wants to appoint a consultant at a retainership cost of Rs 82,000.

‘‘The works are designed to be done phase-wise,’’ says the proposal stalled by the civic Standing Committee on Friday. ‘‘The proposed Phase I includes reconstructing damaged portions of the katta (the low boundary wall) and jogging track.’’

Opposing the move, NCP corporator Ravindra Pawar asked: ‘‘Are these tasks complicated enough to require a consulting architect? One can understand you need consultants for high-tech jobs where technical expertise is crucial. But for developing a park?’’

Curiously, the civic administration has also sought permission to award the consultancy without calling for public advertisements or tenders, calling it a work of ‘‘urgent nature’’.

‘‘The children’s play area of the said ground is developed through the fund of then member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Lata Mangeshkar,’’ the proposal says, adding that the same architectural firm retained for that project is now sought to be awarded this revamp project.

URL- http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=197368