Mid-day Impact: Residents relieved as Chandivali mela finally taken down

Workers dismantle the rides and stalls at the Matoshree Meenatai Thackeray Garden on Saturday. Pic/Dweep Bane

A week after "Chandivali Mahotsav" was illegally organised at the Matoshree Meenatai Thackeray Garden, and just two days after mid-day broke the story with a front-page report, the organisers finally halted operations there on Saturday. Despite citizens' criticism for the encroachment on a public park, the fair concluded on a grand note. Chandivali MLA Dilip Lande visited the stalls put up by self-help groups and felicitated them late on Friday.

No police complaint had been registered against the organisers. They shut down the fair after BMC issued a warning on Friday morning. BMC officials visited the garden on Saturday and ensured that the organisers had begun to dismantle the carnival setup. Local residents expressed happiness over the development.

"Satyamev Jayate {truth will prevail). We thank Mumbai Police and BMC for their action against the illegal fair. We express our gratitude to mid-day for amplifying citizens' voices," said Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder of the Chandivli Citizens' Welfare Association.

Manisha Porwaal, a resident of Panchavati Co-operative Housing Society, located opposite the garden, said, "As per the banner, the last date of the Chandivali Mahotsav was May 6. However, we did not see any activity there on Saturday. Finally, we can have a peaceful weekend and there won't be loudspeakers playing songs in the evening."