Junior Thackeray inaugurates open-air gym, BMC pulls it down

In an embarrassing turn of events for Shiv Sena, which controls the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the civic body officials on Thursday dismantled an open air gymnasium inaugurated by Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray.

The BMC's C-ward team seized the equipment of the open air gym at Marine Drive, but reinstalled it later.

Aaditya attributed it to a miscommunication on part of the concerned ward officer.

"The ward officer was apparently unaware that all necessary permissions were in place," he said. Marine Drive witnessed launch of the open-air gymnasium in the heritage precinct on Wednesday.

The fitness station is part of actor Dino Morea's initiative to help citizens stay fit at no cost. Morea has already set up such fitness stations at Bandra Bandstand, FiveGardens, DadarShivajiPark and Worli Seaface.

Actress Jacqueline Fernandes and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray inaugurated the open-air, open-to-all gymnasium, which is an ensemble of multiple fitness equipment.

In April, Morea had written to the BMC's committee seeking permission to install open-air 10x10 sq ft fitness stations on the stretch between Oberoi hotel and Girgaum Chowpatty.

The letter mentioned that each fitness station would be an "easily removable structure made of non-corrosive material" and hence, would not damage the promenade.

The letter also said that the station would be set up 10 ft away from traffic junctions.

Photograph: JackyMalaysiaFC/Twitter