Kalina Talao gets nod to be beautified and developed into playground

Corporator Alice Therattil inaugrating the work of development of Kalina Talao at a coconut breaking ceremony

There has been a tussle over the development of the 400-year-old 7.5 acre Kalina talao. Many political parties and organizations have tried to take advantage and cheap mileage over the issue of development of the talao. The talao had been illegally encroached by the people of Kunchi Kurve Nagar and constructed slums on the pond. On several occasions BMC have managed to demolish the illegal slums. Also, the late MP Sunil Dutt, the then Sports Minister inaugurated the pond in the presence of Congress workers for setting up a full-fledged stadium.

However, the Kalina Recreation & Sports Club (KRSC) had put up a proposal for setting up a recreation club on the talao and was allotted an area of 21,830 sq. mtrs which was reserved for playground. But, due to objection raised by MLA Kripashankar Singh the allotment was reduced by 50% on adoption basis. Challenging this, KRSC filed a writ petition 2251 of 2004 in High Court and was asked to approach City Survey office with Rs 63,000 towards demarcation charges. The matter was pending in the Court. Meanwhile Kolovery Welfare Association filed a writ petition 2307 of 2006 in High Court for restoration of Kalina tank. However, demarcation could not be carried out due to strong opposition from local residents. In the meantime the talao was also used for illegal activities.

The pond had been filled with debris over the years and the locals have always maintained that the entire plot should be converted back into a pond as it was a water-logging hindrance during the monsoons. The BMC initially had plans to revive the entire pond; instead it has now plans for other facilities. The local corporator Alice Therattil had met the Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar before the last Assembly elections and discussed on the revival plans of the pond. As per development plan, there were reservations for a pond and a cemetery. The cemetery plan has been cancelled. Instead, in the last meeting held last month a fund of Rs 10 crores has been sanctioned and to be funded for the beautification and development of a playground. Initially for bordering the area an amount of Rs 80 lakhs has been sanctioned.

The proposed talao will have a football ground, two badminton courts, two tennis courts, net cricket, children play area, community centre, meditation centre, Pergola with activity area, reading sit out and herbarium of medicinal and aromatic plants. The total plot area will comprise 34,263.92 sq.mtrs.

It is understood that the Kalina Recreation & Sports Club who had filed a writ petition against Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) for setting up a recreation club on the pond has been dismissed by the Court and orders have been passed by the court to construct a boundary wall all across the talao. Therefore, BMC directed their legal department to issue a letter of revocation of allotment of playground to KRSC in view of High Court judgment to writ petition. Even the contempt petition in writ 2251 filed by KRSC against MCGM was dismissed and final order was given to commence work. Also, BMC directed to modify the restoration of adjacent cemetery plot and cancel all allotments in larger interest of citizens and develop the talao surrounded by a beautiful playground.

In this regard Alice Therattil inaugurated the work of construction of boundary wall around the talao and removal of debris, in the midst of Party workers. When asked by this publication on the completion of project, Alice Therattil while speaking to Santacruz Patrika said, “A fund of has been sanctioned for bordering the talao and work has commenced. The project that was to be completed by 2009 had been delayed due to court litigations. However, I hope the project to be completed by end 2012, if everything goes smoothly.