Transit camps in open spaces proposal of NMMC rejected in the House

NAVI MUMBAI: The proposal of the civic chief to build transit camps in some of the open spaces in the city has been turned down in the NMMC general body meeting held on Tuesday.
While NCP corporators opposed the idea of compromising the public open spaces to build transit camps, the Sena members were more inclined towards the proposal. However, after a long discussion, the transit camps plan was rejected by a majority vote.
City based activists have also welcomed the move to turn it down.“An open public space, be it a garden or an open plot, is designed to remain so. There cannot be any allotment of FSI (floor space index) to build any structures for any cause,’’ said RTI activist Sandeep Thakur.
The NCP corporator from Vashi, Divya Gaikwad, lambasted the proposal in the house on similar lines, along with others.
Sena corporators such as Kishore Patkar and Vijay Chougule stated that transit camps were required in the city, while the dilapidated buildings are being rebuilt. “We need to study the issue at hand and then act on it. The proposal should be passed,’’ said Chougule.
The proposal reasoned that as per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, the civic body may utilize its open spaces for public purposes like temporary shelters to people under certain circumstances.