Heritage panel may clear Metro Rail works at Ambazari

Nagpur: Heritage Conservation Committee is all set to give clean chit to Mahametro for the corridor and station works being carried out on Ambazari lake embankment. Mahametro began works 10 months ago on 145-year-old earthen embankment without any permission from the committee and other departments.

Following complaint of MLC Prakash Gajbhiye, the Heritage Conservation Committee two of its members architect Ashok Mokha and structural engineer PS Patankar to inspect the site and report on the works going. Mokha and Patankar inspected the works going on around 500 metre stretch of embankment toe on Tuesday morning.

Drawings related to the works were also shown to the two experts. Mokha and Patankar will now submit their report to the committee following which a decision will be taken. Mokha told TOI there will be no problem to the embankment due to the works. "Main slope of embankment has not been cut. Pillars of viaduct and Metro rail station are being constructed on the toe of embankment and all safety measures being taken. Mahametro had taken expert suggestions from Nashik-based Dam Safety Organization (DSO). There should be no issues if everything is done as per experts' recommendation," he said.

Patankar said Mahametro's constructing pier cap above the embankment was a good way to avoid any threat. "Piers have been constructed 2.65-15 metres from main slope of embankment that is parental toe. Casting has been done well so there is no threat of seepage. It is safe as far as structural design is concerned," he said.

They refused to comment on Mahametro starting works without committee's permission.

NMC water works department on January 20 had issued a notice to Mahametro directing it to stop all work at the embankment. "No construction can be done within 200 metres from embankment as per state government norms. Mahametro also did not take any permission from NMC before commencing works," NMC said.

TOI on February 5 had reported Mahametro had even cut a portion of embankment. NMC on March 30 issued another notice directing Mahametro not to cut embankment and restore it. However, on August 29, NMC gave green signalled the the works after taking opinions from DSO, Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation and Nashik-based Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI). NMC No Objection Certificate came relaxation in the norms by the government. NMC also did not give permission to dig on the embankment/earthen bund and consent was for only construction on embankment's toe.

Gajbhiye raised the issue in monsoon session of state legislature and demanded diversion of Metro rail corridor to protect embankment.

Activist Mohammad Shahid Sharif also filed public interest litigation (PIL) against the works in High Court and notices have been issued to respondents.

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Conditions that Mahametro is yet to comply with

* Construction of toe drain over full length of dam to drain out surface water of embankment

* All trees on embankment be uprooted under VIDC supervision

* Pitching of stones on embankment and construction of retaining wall on toe

* Structural and detailed study of embankment for bearing impact of digging, constructions and movement of Metro rail

* Emergency action plan for entire dam from dam safety organization

* Restoration of embankment/earthen bund wherever disturbed