MNS opposes Yuva Sena's gym on footpath

The open air gym in Kalyan was to be inaugurated by Aditya Thackeray today

Yuva Sena's Aditya Thackeray is facing the heat over an open air gym that has come up on the footpath in Kalyan. Local Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members have opposed it stating that they had planned to build a newspaper reading spot for the public on the footpath. If they were denied permission, how was the open air gym allowed, they asked.

Ulhas Bhoir, former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Corporator from Khadakpada ward number 03, along with Kaustubh Desai, District President, Youth wing, of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Kalyan, have dashed off a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation, E. Ravindhran. They want permission revoked for the open air gym saying it is eating into space for pedestrians.

"The work order for this was given a year ago. During that time, we too had demanded permission for a public newspaper library at Khadakpada, which was granted and the work order, too, was approved. But, the city engineer visited the spot and denied permission claiming that it would cause inconvenience to pedestrians. How then, is this gym allowed?

Desai added, "They have installed eight instruments on the footpath closing it off to pedestrians. The area is in the vicinity of a school. The school bus halts here. People will be forced to walk on the road."

Desai and Bhoir said they are not opposed to the gym, only its location. "We welcome the gym as it is for the public. There is an open ground behind the university, why don't they utilise that," Desai said.

Rajendra Devlekar, Mayor, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation said open gyms had been approved at seven spots in Kalyan and Donbivli. "Aditya Thackeray himself is inaugurating it. Those opposing it should just accept it now as is it in public interest."

Sources said local Shiv Sena leaders were planning to shift the gym and discussions were still on.