Mumbai : Slamming the Shiv Sena-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s approval for installing an open-air gym at Marine Drive, Congress’s Nitesh Rane (in pic) said the civic body has completely overlooked its own rules.
Speaking from the BMC headquarters on Friday, Rane said, “Marine Drive is a heritage site. If Shiv Sena did not approve of LED lights on Marine Drive, how did it allow an open-air gym? Doesn’t that spoil the beauty of the place?”
Moreover, Rane said that Marine Drive comes under Coastal Regulation Zone rules and any construction in this area is not allowed. He accused the BMC of being unable to come up with a fixed policy for dealing with footpath encroachments. He said, “If hawkers are not allowed on footpaths, gyms must also not be allowed”.
Rane alleged that actor Dino Morea, who installed open-air gyms at five places in Mumbai — in Shivaji Park, Worli, Bandra Bandstand, 5 Gardens and Marine Drive — did not have permission to install it on Marine Drive in the first place.
“It is an illegal structure and the ‘C’ ward had not given him permission. If the BMC officials do not dismantle it, the Congress party will do so with its own methods”.
