Since then, the BMC has reclaimed 187 of the 216 open spaces in Mumbai, and 29 others are yet in the possession of adoptees. Speaking to Hindustan Times, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta said, “The open spaces policy passed in general body is an interim one, and will be applicable to all of the city’s open spaces, until we pass the final open spaces policy, presently pending approval from the group leaders.”According to the interim policy, private bodies can maintain open spaces as long as they provide non-discriminatory access, and free of charge entry to citizens. Ravi Raja, leader of opposition in the BMC, said, “Today, the Shiv Sena has undemocratically, without taking the matter up for discussion or debate, passed the open spaces policy. All open spaces have not yet been taken back by BMC as per the chief minister’s order of January 2016. Now this open spaces policy will give back door entry to politicians to maintain open spaces.”

Source: Hindustan Times November 24, 2017 07:41 UTC