MLA Amin Patel and BMC Officials Inspect Nariyalwadi Cemetery for Renovation
On Monday, MLA Amin Patel, corporator Waqar Khan, Prabhag Samiti Chairman Dnyanraj Nikam, and senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials conducted a joint inspection of the proposed renovation and restoration works at the historic Nariyalwadi Cemetery in Mumbai. The inspection was organised to assess the deteriorating condition of the site and address growing public demands for improved maintenance.
Following the inspection, Patel acknowledged that the historic cemetery requires extensive restoration and major repairs. He announced that a meeting will be held to identify the specific works that need to be undertaken, after which the BMC will prepare a detailed list of improvements.
In addition to the physical repairs, Patel stated that the authorities would examine the issue of clearing slum encroachments at a later stage. Currently, these encroachments occupy nearly a quarter of the eight-acre cemetery.
According to Aziz Makki of the Nariyalwadi Cemetery Trust, corporator Waqar Khan has been consistently pursuing the long-pending renovation project. However, Makki noted that there is still no clarity on when the actual restoration work will commence despite Monday's inspection.
The Cemetery Trust has demanded that a comprehensive technical and site survey be conducted before any work begins. The Trust also called for greater transparency in the execution of the project, expressing concern over the potential misuse of public funds if adequate safeguards are not established.
Members of the Trust stated they would closely monitor the implementation of the project to ensure that all sanctioned public funds are utilised solely for the intended restoration work.
Patel assured that all restoration and improvement works would be carried out only after consultations with the cemetery trust, religious leaders, and members of the community. However, he clarified that the detailed survey of graves sought by the Trust would have to be undertaken by the cemetery management itself, noting that the BMC will have no role in conducting that survey.
