Mumbai: Mumbaikars could look forward to more well-maintained open spaces in the coming year. Mhada and BMC have zeroed in on a joint sharing formula, for development of amenities like open spaces on a Mhada layout, which promises better maintenance of these open spaces.

According to the newly chalked-out formula, the two government agencies will plan the development of the open spaces and other amenities in the layouts together. While Mhada will contribute 60% of the estimated expenditure, BMC will share the remaining 40%.

There are 104 layouts which are currently in Mhadas possession. Considering that each one had atleast one recreation ground or playground, among other amenities, these layouts would have a minimum of 100 open spaces.

As per a state resolution in the late nineties, open spaces in a planned layout have to be handed over to BMC, after development of the layout, for their maintenance. However lack of coordination between the two agencies has lead to the delays in the handing over most layouts. Gautam Chatterjee, Mhada vice president, expressed hope that the new formula would expedite the handing over process.

On Tuesday, Chatterjee visited the municipal corporation to hear the grievances of municipal corporators on matters related to Mhada plots in their region. Around 45 corporators attended the meeting which was presided over the standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar. Municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak was also present for the meeting. "We will look into the grievances raised," Chatterjee said.

Source : Central