A morning walker sustained injuries after a cement bench unexpectedly gave way beneath him at the popular Jogger's Park in Bandra, Mumbai, earlier this week. The incident has sparked outrage and brought the issue of poor maintenance in the city's public parks into sharp focus.
Eyewitness Account of the Terrifying Incident
The accident was witnessed by Vidyadhar Date, a regular visitor to the park. According to Date, the injured man was performing stretching exercises on the cement bench under the guidance of a trainer when the structure suddenly collapsed. The man fell backwards, hitting his back and the rear of his head on the ground.
"I saw it all happening," Date stated. "I was some distance away on my way to help, some others came and helped him get up. I had been watching him for quite some time because this was an unusual sight."
Allegations of Negligence and Vandalism
Following the incident, Date took to social media to voice his concerns, highlighting what he described as the extremely serious issue of absolute lack of maintenance in municipal parks. He alleged that ignorant contractors are vandalising these public spaces while civic authorities turn a blind eye.
In a strong indictment of the system, Date remarked, "Yes, and crores of rupees have been spent on the totally needless renovation of these parks. These were in excellent condition; one of these I have been visiting for fifty years." His post underscores a growing frustration among citizens regarding the mismanagement of public funds and infrastructure.
BMC's Response and Safety Measures
In reaction to the alarming event, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) garden department have initiated a safety audit. They confirmed that all single cement seats at Jogger's Park have been inspected. Benches found to be unsafe will be removed promptly.
The specific bench involved in the collapse has been deemed beyond repair and is being removed entirely, according to the garden department official in charge of the area. This action, however, comes only after a citizen was injured, raising questions about proactive maintenance protocols.
The collapse at Jogger's Park is not just an isolated accident but a symptom of a larger problem of civic apathy. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards lurking in public spaces due to poor upkeep. While the BMC's immediate inspection is a necessary step, residents are calling for a more robust, transparent, and regular maintenance regime to prevent such dangerous occurrences in the future and ensure the safety of all park users.
