Facelift for Five Gardens

The final impediment in the way of the beautification of Five Gardens in Dadar, a Grade III heritage precinct, has been removed with the heritage committee clearing the proposal, reported The Times of India (TOI) on August 17, 2010. "A no-objection certificate was issued once it was clear that all the conditions laid down by us would be fulfilled while executing the project,” Dinesh Afzalpurkar, chairman of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) informed TOI after vetting the final set of drawings submitted by the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) which will implement the plan.

Five Gardens in Dadar, a heritage precinct Photo: Jasmine D. Driver

Two years ago some residents had raised objections to the proposed beautification, fearing that this green area, created by Mancherji E. Joshi, founder of the Dadar Parsi Colony, would be compromised. "All their doubts have been laid to rest. We will ensure that the beautification does not violate any heritage norms,” municipal councilor Raghunath Thawai reassured TOI. Assistant municipal commissioner F-Ward, S. Y. Khurade, elaborated: "The beautification will involve planting of trees, laying of a lawn, replacing of benches and repair of pavements around the gardens. All the material or design will be selected keeping in mind the heritage character and ambience of the area.”

The gardens are in urgent need of restoration and are causing discomfort to pedestrians, especially senior citizens, a member of the Senior Citizens’ Five Gardens Committee, which has been liaising with the BMC informed TOI. The BMC, which has earmarked one crore for the project, told the newspaper that "Rs 5 crore or more will be needed for the facelift.” Among the aims of the project are to retain the gardens’ heritage feel and replace the children’s play equipment.