MUMBAI: Worli’s iconic Jamboree Maidan will soon transform with upgraded facilities including a fully functional rainwater harvesting system. Worli MLA and state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray have given around Rs 75 lakh each for the upgrade.
BMC officials said the new open space is designed with the help of Rachana Sansad College. The maidan is spread over 1.5 lakh sq ft.
"BMC’s plan to upgrade Worli’s iconic Jamboree Maidan is a welcome move. While the ground will have upgraded facilities, BMC must ensure that the green footprint of the ground is not reduced. BMC must not end up concretising large parts of the play area in the name of the upgrade. Funds given by MLA Aaditya Thackeray and the chief minister Uddhav Thackeray must be used judiciously.-Times View"
“This maidan historically serves also as a venue of cultural programmes such as dahi-handi. This maidan is used by senior citizens for walking, young citizens for jogging and sports activity and by children also. Planning of this work is done with the help of Rachna Sansad College,” said Sharad Ughade, assistant municipal commissioner, G-South ward. Ughade said that the maidan will also get a new jogging track.
Locals said that the ground wasn’t upgraded in decades and it was turning into ruins despite the high footfall at the open space.
“We will have an attractive theme painted ornamental gate and we will install various gym equipment. The entire ground will get a new fence. We will carry out improvement of existing ground with an underground drainage facility and create a percolation system so that there is no water-logging in the ground. We will also have a rainwater harvesting system. The jogging track will also have walking facilities for the challenged. We will install attractive lighting and horticulture work will also be done,” Ughade said.
Aaditya said that the Jamboree Maidan is historic and iconic to Mumbai. “It is only fitting that Maharashtra’s CM born in Mumbai initiates his local area development funds from such an iconic place and it’s an honour for me as the local MLA too. We are committed to ensure all our maidans remain earthy and yet clean and well-maintained,” said Aaditya.
Officials said that work on the upgrade will be completed by the end of the year. While Aaditya sanctioned around Rs 75 lakh from his local MLA fund, CM Thackeray set aside Rs 75 lakh from his MLC fund. The total cost of the upgrade will be around Rs 2.5 crore.
