Oppn party threatens to help set up stalls on Marine Drive if plan for gym is not scrapped
Mumbai : Protesting the civic body’s decision to continue with the open-air gym at Marine Drive, the Mumbai unit of NCP on Saturday said it would help certain self-help groups to set up their stalls at the famed promenade. The gym owned by Bollywood actor Dino Morea was inaugurated by Aditya Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena’s youth wing, on Wednesday.
“The gym structure at Marine Drive seafront in south Mumbai, inaugurated by Aditya Thackeray, was illegal, said Sachin Ahir, head of Mumbai unit of NCP. “Using political power to protect something illegal is wrong. Local residents are also opposing the gymnasium. We demand that it be removed immediately by the civic body. If our demand is not met, we will set up stalls of self-help groups on Marine Drive,” Ahir said.
“Ordinary citizens come to Marine Drive to relax and to spend time with family and friends. Encroachment of this kind on this heritage precinct is wrong,” he said, hitting out at the Shiv Sena for putting up posters threatening anyone who dares to pull down the gymnasium. Meanwhile, in response to Sena’s posters, Congress MLA Nitesh Rane tweeted today that he would announce the date and time before coming to remove the gym.
The controversy over the gym had escalated on Friday with Congress MLA Nitesh Rane threatening to demolish the gym. The Shiv Sena had then displayed posters challenging Rane to dare even harm the gym.
At least five such open air gyms are supposed to come up in Mumbai. The one at Marine Drive, installed by Dino Morea’s fitness company, had been allowed by the municipal commissioner only for three months on experimental basis.
