Emergency Meeting to Protest against the Club House Plan at the Shreeniketan Gardens.

THE MARINE DRIVE RESIDENTS ACTION GROUP

BLOG :- http://www.marinedriveactiongroup.blogspot.com OR  Facebook :- Groups – The Marine Drive Residents Action Group  OR  E-mail :- marinedriveactiongroup@gmail.com

October 5, 2010

To,

The Chairman / Secretary,

_____________________

_____________________

Sir,

Subj:- Emergency Meeting  to  Protest  against the Club House Plan at the Shreeniketan Gardens.

Venue:- Rasik Niwas , Ground Floor, F Road , Marine Drive , Mumbai 400002.

Ref:- Our Circular No.001/9/10-11 Dt. 27/9/2010.

We hope by now that your good self & your building residents must be in the receipt of the above dated awareness circular stating the pressing issue of our area as per the above mentioned subject. Just in case if some of you have not received the same, we request you to refer to the above mentioned blog / facebook-group to get yourself updated to the current scenario.

This letter is to inform the residents of all the societies in this area of the urgent meeting called on the 6^th October 2010, Wednesday, by the supporters of the above awareness program to mutually discuss and plan the future course of action to be taken to try to save the above mentioned open-space in the area and to stop the concerned parties from constructing a Club House in this vicinity.

We request you and all the residents of your society to attend this meeting without fail and support us in this fight.

We do apologize for giving your residents a very short notice for the same and hope that with the power of your chair you will be able to encourage and lead maximum of your residents to come tomorrow in full support.

Thank You,

Yours Truly,

On Behalf of MDRAG,

 Conveners :- Mr. Ashish Shah / Mr. Nikhil Banker / Mr. Nimesh Shah

Mumbai Mirror Article regarding the CRZ plan to save open spaces

Ramesh’s CRZ plan to save open spaces

Ministry of Environment and Forests wants all open spaces in Mumbai falling under CRZ II to be marked as no-development zones

Ravikiran Deshmukh

Posted On Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 02:14:54 AM

Even as his staunch opposition to the proposed Navi Mumbai airport has frustrated the state government for months, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh is now swooping in to save Mumbai's fast-depleting opening spaces. In a draft notification made specifically for the city, Ramesh's ministry has decided to stop any commercial exploitation of land that falls within Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) II norms. According to the notification, issued on September 15, all such areas will be reassigned as No-Development Zones, thereby barring construction even on all parks, gardens and playgrounds indicated in the development plans within CRZ II. While the total area in this plan has not yet been ascertained, it will cover all land "up to or close to the shoreline" that already has drainage, approach roads, water supply, sewerage mains and other infrastructure, from the southern tip in Colaba to Gorai in the west and Mankhurd in the east. This decision, sent to the state's Urban Development (UD) department and passed on to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will leave no room for the corporation's controversial caretaker policy that permits private parties to build clubhouses, restaurants and other recreation amenities on parts of CRZ II plots. Activists have long alleged that once builders get a toe-hold on open spaces through the policy, it is only a matter of time before they begin to exploit the entire expanse for construction. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Responding to the Environment Ministry's notification, the UD department and BMC have started gathering information to list the relevant open spaces. Ashok Shintre, BMC's director, engineering services and projects, said the task would take at least a month. "We have received the notification from the state Urban Development Department. They have asked for the number of open spaces falling under the CRZ. But the coastal stretch in the city is very long. There are several open spaces along the coastline. We also have to categorise them as per their status. The whole exercise will take a month's time. The detailed report will be submitted to the state only after that," he said. When contacted, Nayana Kathpalia of the NGO Citispace, which has been fighting for the green spaces, described the notification as significant. "This will act as a legal sanction for the protection of the much-needed open spaces in Mumbai. As a result, people eyeing these pieces of land will be kept away," Kathpalia said.  What is coastal regulation zone-II land The areas that have already been developed upto or close to the shoreline. For this purpose, 'developed area' is referred to as that area within the municipal limits or in other legally designated urban areas which is already substantially built up and which has been provided with drainage and approach roads and other infrastructural facilities, such as water supply and sewerage mains.

Protest Letter sent by the residents to The Collector of Mumbai

Mumbai Mirror Article regarding the Open Space issue

City

Clubhouse plan raises a stink at Marine Drive

Residents allege the plot where it will come up, is reserved for recreational purpose

Geeta Desai

Posted On Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 02:26:10 AM

Marine Drive residents are fuming over a clubhouse that is coming up on a plot, which is the only open space left in the area. The plot, around 25,000 sq ft, is located on the F Road at Churchgate, and is leased to Shree Niwas Co-operative Housing Society for recreation purposes. Till last year, the plot was being used as public property. Since 2009, outsiders are not allowed there, and office bearers at Shree Niwas society say it is a private plot. Inquiries by the residents revealed the plot comes under the collector, and was reserved as recreation ground. Last Sunday, more than 700 people attended a meeting held to resolve the issue Last Sunday, more than 700 people attended a meeting held to resolve the dispute. Residents opposed the clubhouse construction on the plot, and a protest letter was written to the collector, and its copies were submitted to the MP, MLA and the councillor of the area. Ashish Shah, who resides in Badrikeshwar, a building adjoining the plot, said, “We need a garden in the area and not another clubhouse which will be out of bound for most residents.” Another resident, Jignesh Doshi, said, “If Shree Niwas society cannot maintain the plot for the public, which it is obliged to, Marine Drive residents are capable of doing so.” The secretary of Shree Niwas society, Gopal Das, asked for the copy of the protest letter, saying he was not aware of it. When copies were e-mailed to him, he said he was not in the office, and could not read the letter. But protesters are not amused. Nimesh Shah, who lives in Shalimar Building, said the BMC has given the IOD permission for the clubhouse even as there is no clarity on caretaker policy. “How can a permission be given to exploit the part of open space by a private party?” he asked. Another resident, Alok Agarwal, said the plot is given out on rent for marriage processions and parties. Local corporator Vinod Shekhar has supported the protesters and said the BMC permission could be revoked.  Direct link to the press article in Mumbai Mirror

Open Circular to all Residents of our area

THE MARINE DRIVE RESIDENTS ACTION GROUP

1st CIRCULAR TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF G, H, E & F ROAD OF MARINE DRIVE

  Mumbai, 30.09.2010

 Dear Residents,                                                                                                                      Circular No. 001/9/10-11   

 On behalf of the Marine Drive Residents Action Group, We thank all who attended the meeting of the residents of our area held on 26.09.2010 at Rasik Niwas, F Road, Mumbai. This circular is for those who could not attend the meeting and also to inform all and put on record what transpired at the meeting.

 The meeting was attended by large number of local residents. Several issues / problems like Taxi Stand, Traffic, Potholes, Hawkers, Security, Thefts, Drug abusers - Rag pickers, Noise & Traffic Pollution, Urinating on tracks and Open Spaces were discussed. (   For more on this,    kindly login to Facebook  group  : - The Marine Drive Residents Action Group    OR    BlogSpot : -   marinedriveactiongroup.blogspot.com  )

 When the open spaces were discussed at the meeting, The Residents were shocked and stunned to learn that a Club House is being proposed to be constructed over the Shri Niketan Gardens which majority of us thought was a Recreation Ground / Public Garden. All the residents strongly protested the proposed club house as the local residents need an open space and a Garden more than a Club House. A Club House shall worsen the traffic problems in the area which is facing acute traffic problems due to double parking & traffic jams caused by school buses, occasional marriages, and community meetings at F Road. The local MLA Ms Annie Shekhar and the local Municipal Councilor Mr.Vinod Shekhar were present at the meeting and extended their full support to the local residents. Mr.Vinod Shekhar, in view of the public outcry against the proposed club house on the recreation ground informed the members present that although the I.O.D. for the club house is issued, it can be cancelled / revoked if the local residents object to it. All the members requested Mr.Shekhar to see that the Shri Niketan Garden is soon opened up for public use as the public is denied since past several years.Regarding the same, a protest letter attested by the majority of the societies surrounding the gardens have been filed with the Collectors Office , Mr. Milind Deora’s Office & with the MLA’s office.The office bearers / members of Marine Drive Residents ( G, H, E & F Roads ) Association headed by Mr.Kiran Agarwal and Mr.Somani, were also present in the meeting. We have also requested the association to take up this matter on the urgent basis but the association’s silence over this matter is found to be very baffling.

The second most pressing matter was the goondaism of the Taxi men Mafia and the overall demand to remove the taxi stand by the residents from the area. It has been noted that more than 20 taxis are been parked instead of official permission to park only 6 and their repeated refusals to ply for short distance rides to the residents of this area. Immediate action needs to be taken in this regard. Other matters very briefly discussed and action needs to be planned on the same.

This circular is to appeal to the lawyers / solicitors / residents / NGOs / Social Workers / Welfare Associations residing in the area to come forward to fight against this injustice on the only open space in the area and the other every day nuisances’ that the residents have to face .If the residents of this area do not get united and take action immediately then they will have only themselves to be blamed. THIS AREA IS GOING TO THE DOGS AND WE DO NOT DESERVE THIS! We the undersigned have taken up this cause for the betterment of the area and now if you do not come out and demand your rights, not only us but our future generations will also have to carry the placards of being “LOSER-RESIDENT”. When you vote, you expect good governance, but the irony is that small fragments of power and attention hungry people place their individual requirements more than those of that of common people and corrupt it for personal advantages. SICK!!

ASK YOUR CONSCIENCE “WHY SHOULD YOU BE A CHILD OF A LESSER GOOD”? and if your soul replies , kindly come down of your house and protest , make a voice , go to the highest authority , question the public servants or simply bear the current state like a loser and let the corrupt politics and people with money power abuse you every day.

 THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!! WE HAVE ALREADY MADE ONE !!!

Need Help  ?  Support  ?   Assistance  ? 
Write to us on  : -   http://www.marinedriveactiongroup.blogspot.com or 
marineactiongroup@gmail.com or 
on facebook group –  The Marine Drive Residents Action Group.

THIS MARINE DRIVE ‘GHEF ROADS’ RESIDENTS AWARENESS PROGRAMME IS SUPPORTED BY –

Mr. Suresh Bafna  ( Duru Mahal )	Mr. Rajiv K. Shah (Panchasar )	Mr. Rohit Shah ( Krishna Kunj )
Mr. Nikhil Banker ( Patan )	Mr. Ramnathar ( Parijat )	Mr. Ketan Shah ( Avanti )
Mr. Raj Zaveri ( Rasik Niwas )	Mr. Mayur Shah ( Neelam )	Mr. Nimish Shah ( Shalimar )
Mr.Dinesh Mehta(Badrikeshwar)	Mr.Himanshu Zaveri (Swasray)	Mr. Sunil Shah(Western Court)
Mr. Ashish Shah ( Badrikeshwar)	Mr.AnishJhaveri (Ahoora Mahal)	Mr. Jignesh Doshi ( Neeta )
Mr. Raju Jhaveri ( Neelam )	Mr. Hemal Shah ( Rajhans )	Mr. Chirag Shah ( Sindhu )
Mr. Piyush Shah ( Rasik Niwas )	Mr. A.B.Shetty ( Shalimar )	Mr.VaibhavParikh(Bharat Mahal)

JAI HIND !!

Photos of the residents first meeting :