The Times of India               10.07.2013

Civic body to construct five recreational centres for senior citizens

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to construct five recreational centres for senior citizens in the city.

According to the civic officials, the centres will be set up in civic welfare centres at Bhawani Shankar Road, Dadar, Bhandup Village, Rani Sati Marg, Malad East, Mulgaon village, Mahalaki Caves Road, Andheri East and Mhada Layout, Gorai, Borivali West.

"These are the initial recreational centres. We plan to set up recreational centre spread over at least 700 sq ft area in every ward for senior citizens. They will be provided leisure amenities free of cost every Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm at these centres. Facilities like Yoga, bridge, sudoku. chess, carom, newspapers and magazines, TV sets etc will also be provided to them at these centres," said a senior civic officials.

The recreational centres are the part of a special policy designed for them by the BMC. The policy also provides them a free of cost surgery in civic hospitals, a special helpline to guide on their problems and a permission to construct commode at their residence. The senior citizens will be given priority in awareness campaigns, festivals and civic activities.

There will also be a special health desk for senior citizens in all the major civic hospitals. Special weekly outdoor patients departments will also be held, in which medical experts will be available to treat them. A special geriatric section will be created in BMC hospitals for senior citizens.

According to the civic data, there are about 12 lakh senior citizens, who are of 60 years and above. Around 21 per cent of them (2.5 lakh) are below poverty line.