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747-237

A sad day for me to see this demolished - I spent many a evening playing around here while growing up in the 80s.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Razing-of-Santa-Cruz-garden-plane-upsets-locals/articleshow/7294258.cms

Razing of Santa Cruz garden plane upsets locals
Jan 16, 2011

MUMBAI: Residents of Mumbai will now only have fond memories of the iconic aircraft structure at Lions Garden in Santa Cruz (W).

The caretakers of the recreation ground (RG) plot have demolished the structure. However, the move has not gone down well with some activists who feel that they should have been consulted, before the caretakers were given permission to demolish the landmark structure. "The structure was almost 50 years old and it was in a dilapidated condition," said Krishna Bhatt, vice president of the Kamla Raheja Foundation, that maintains the park.

He added, "Even after opting for repair, there was no guarantee about the sturdiness of the structure. The new model that we plan to replace, will be made of either concrete or metal."

Civic activist Aftab Siddiqui said, "I'm surprised that the BMC allowed the demolition, without any public debate. Residents want to know whether they had conducted any structural audit of the structure, before granting permission to the caretaker to demolish this famous aeroplane."

It is believed that some time In the 1960s, Air India had donated the concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park.

The fragility of the structure came to light when Abhishek Jamjade ( 8 ) died after a part of the structure engine collapsed on him in March 2009. "We wanted to demolish the structure following the fatal accident last year. We are going to replace it with a new model," said Chandrashekar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner (gardens). Local ward officials were not available for comment.
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Spiderguy252 · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:05 pm Post subject:

If ever they replace it, I hope they don't put an A310 in there! Razz

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Yeah.

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:43 pm Post subject:

Here are a few memories.

And this is what happened to it, leading to the death of the child.

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HAWK21M · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:03 pm Post subject:

Replacement is required...Hopefully more sturdy & realistic.
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Think of the Brighter side !!!

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

Sad day indeed..like some others, I also spent many occasions just clambering up into the (concrete) fuselage chasing other kids and come out of the rear through the cramped interior..
A better idea would be to place an actual plane (even an Avro would do for now)..

himmat01 · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1392 Location: DEL

Sad to see it go. My school used to organise its annual painting contests at this park. I created a lot of 'masterpieces' sitting under its wings.
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The_Goat · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:34 pm Post subject:

Is it the same plane that appears in the song "Chanda hai tu" from the movie "Aradhana"?

Can be seen in this video after 1.59 mins,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcg7TMj1RM
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himmat01 · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1392 Location: DEL

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

It's an iconic structure, but like a lot of other structures in India that are supposedly "maintained" by the government, it had gone to hell in a handbasket. I remember insisting that my parents stop the car and let me play in there as a kid.

HAWK21M · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:26 pm Post subject:

Are they planning a replacement structure yet.
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Think of the Brighter side !!!

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:04 am Post subject:

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/20130124201301240310305667fc303fa/Boeing-to-take-off-at-Santacruz-even-if-it%E2%80%99s-at-a-kids%E2%80%99-park.html

Boeing to take off at Santacruz

January 24, 2013

More than two years after the iconic aeroplane structure at Lions Garden in Santacruz (W) was demolished in December 2010, a brandnew ‘Boeing’ is all set to make a landing at the venue.

The garden, better known as ‘aeroplane park’ after Air India donated a concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park minders in the 1960s, became a huge attraction, with kids flocking there from all over the city. Such was the popularity of the aeroplane at the park that on weekends, people had to queue up to enter it.

However, tragedy struck in March 2009, when an eight-year-old boy, Praveen Jamdale, died after a part of the aeroplane structure collapsed on him. A few months later, the Kamala Raheja Foundation, which maintains the garden on behalf of BMC, pulled down the structure amidst protests from several residents and activists, who said they should have been consulted. At that time, BMC had promised a new aeroplane for the park.

Now, the new ‘Boeing’, worth around Rs 30 lakh, is set to arrive in six months. A high-ranking the BMC official said, “The designs have been approved, and the structure is being readied. The plane will be made of cement concrete, and will be a better version of the earlier structure.”

The official added that plenty of “improvisations” have been made to ensure the new plane is able to attract children. The new plane, which will occupy a 16sq ft x 16 sq ft area, is designed by structural consultant Satish Dhupelia, and the project plan has been checked by the experts at Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI).

BMC’s Standing Committee chairman Rahul Shewale said, “It was an iconic structure and we will ensure a similar structure is back in place, with all safety measures in place.”

Residents welcomed the development, saying better late than never. Aditya Paul from Vile Parle, who recalled spending many an evening at the aeroplane park, said: “I am happy that efforts are being made to restore the park’s glory. Now, BMC should ensure the structure remains in good condition to avoid any mishap.”

The iconic santacruz plane

Lions Garden in Santacruz (W) has always been ‘aeroplane park’ for Mumbaikars because of the iconic aircraft structure installed there. It is believed that Air India, in the 1960s, had donated the concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park authorities, and the ‘park plane’ attracted kids from all over the area.

However, in March 2009, an eight-year-old boy, identified as Praveen Jamdale, died after a part of the structure collapsed on him, forcing the park authorities to pull down the structure.

The decision to demolish the structure created a controversy, after several residents and activists said that they should have been consulted, even as the civic body said the structure will be replaced with a new aeroplane model.
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shivendrashukla · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:20 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:35 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:03 am Post subject:

The new Air India "Boeing" is coming up at the Juhu Gardens in Santa Cruz - and by the shape of things, it looks like a 787.

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:18 am Post subject:

ameya · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:40 pm Post subject:

More like the columbus in the fair ?

747-237 · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject:

Version 2014 has been built and painted (and I use both those words loosely), resembling an engineless toy in old Southwest colors ! A far cry from the original.

Circa 1974 v/s 2014 : WTF !!

ssbmat · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710

The only thing that seems to be okay with this are the oval windows. Otherwise I am not sure if this even resembles an airplane. Even I used to draw them correctly as a 5 year old!!

I used to refer to those Indian Airlines A300 and B737 Safety brochures.. any one remember those ??

747-237 · Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 9:22 pm Post subject:

This is bullshit ! 40 years ago they built an amazingly authentic & realistic model of the Boeing 707, right down to the correct engines and in accurate Air India livery of the period. This ridiculous contraption is an insult to our generation who've seen the real deal. And what the fuck is up with the old Southwest Airlines-esque colors ?!! I can't believe I paid one rupee to get into the park & photograph it. I need to sue someone to get it back !!!

Ah ! That felt better !!

The_Goat · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:44 pm Post subject:

The design must be based on the rendition of an airplane done by the three year old child of a BMC commissioner, and the execution by a mawali builder who coughed up the highest bribe.

Neither category of people knows anything about airplanes. What else can be expected?

I guess we must be happy that there is something remotely resembling an airplane that they have put up, and not another statue of Shivaji on a horse.
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I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

747-237 · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:13 pm Post subject:

Jaysit · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 4346

Ha Ha!

This would be hilarious, if it weren't so scary.

One light monsoon and that ugly hunk of concrete junk will turn into another death trap for some poor kids.

But it belongs in that pile of dirt they call a garden.

Spiderguy252 · Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:27 am Post subject:

Haha, typical. Razz

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Yeah.

747-237 · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:44 pm Post subject:

The oldest picture of the original, that I've come across. Publication & date included.

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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi