Mumbai: Opposition parties slam BMC for closure of city parks, gardens

MUMBAI: Opposition parties and activists slammed the BMC for its ‘decision’ to close down parks and gardens in the city citing the Covid-19 pandemic. On Sunday, there was confusion among residents as parks and gardens in some localities were open during the morning and evening but shut down during the day.
Samajwadi Party MLA and Corporator Rais Shaikh wrote to Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal saying that all parks and gardens were shut in Mumbai despite there being no written orders or circular.“The state government orders only mentioned amusement parks, zoos and museums since there are massive crowds at these locations. Gyms, saloons, spas and hotels and restaurants are open at 50% capacity. The decision to shut down parks and gardens is one-sided and defies logic. Many senior citizens and residents have complained that parks and gardens are shut and they don’t have any place for exercise too. The BMC must scrap the decision on closing down parks and gardens and allow citizens to use them,” Shaikh said.
BMC officials said that parks and gardens were shut down for a day but later they have been kept open from 5 and to 9 am in the morning and 5 pm to 8 pm in the evening. However in a tweet by the BMC’s G-North ward stated that all parks and gardens were shut leading to confusion among residents.