Nagpur: After the four-year-long battle between shopkeepers and the state government ended on April 17, 2018, with Supreme Court dismissing the shopkeepers’ petition, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in associaiton with the city survey department has rolled up its sleeves to finalize the proposed widening of Kelibag road at Mahal, central Nagpur. The civic body has already finalized alignment of the road which will affect 157 properties, including 300-year-old Gujar Wada.
Now, Gujars, calling Gujar Wada crucial for the city’s history, are contemplating to file review petition in the apex court.
According to a notification issued by the state government on November 12, 2014, the NMC will widen the road from existing 15 meter to 24 meter from Gandhi Putla square on Central Avenue to CP and Berar College. Following the notification, shopkeepers of the area filed a petition in the high court which was dismissed on October 18, 2016, leading them to move Supreme Court. The apex court too dismissed their petition on April 17, 2018.
Former mayor and Mahal corporator Praveen Datke told TOI now the NMC will submit a list of project-affected-persons (PAPs) with the district administration for acquisition of properties. “The NMC will also issue notices to the PAPs asking them to explain the mode of compensation they will like to receive. At the same time, process for inviting tender will also be kicked off for the appointment of private company for widening and concretization of the road,” he said.
As per the NMC’s data, part of wadas of two Royal families— Gujar and Sangram Singh Bhonsle— will be affected most in the project.
Harsh Dhanwate from Gujar family told TOI that the finalized alignment would completely destroy the historical Gujar Wada. “Existing alignment of Kelibag road was given by our family. Due to the road, our wada splitted into two parts and are now situated on two sides of the road. Main wada where my aunty— Pratibha Mane— is residing will be affected to a great extent. The structure is over 300-year-old and have its own significance in the city’s history. Moreover, the structure is based on ancient style of construction which can cave in totally if a part of it is demolished. I have gone to many foreign countries where ancient and historical structures are incorporated in development activities and not demolished in the name of development works. That’s why we are planning to file review petition in the SC,” he said.
Dhanwate further said his family is not against widening of the road. “We have given our properties at six locations for various development works. We are ready to give portion of open space for widening of the road,” he said.
Gujar Wada is situated where the road takes turn. Therefore, major portion of the wada needs to be demolished for road and also its tangent.
NMC sources told TOI Sangram Singh Bhonsle has given his consent to give part of his wada. “Compound wall and open space in front of the wada will go in the project,” sources said.
City MP and Union minister Nitin Gadkari is one of the PAPs. The NMC official said meagre 110 sq.ft of Gadkari’s plot will also be acquired for the project.
The NMC sources said Gadkari delayed construction of new house as he was waiting for finalization of the alignment. Gadkari had demolished the old house totally few months ago.
The ancient Murlidhar temple has been saved as it is not coming in the final alignment. The NMC official said Kalbhairav and Mahalaxmi temples will also require to be demolished.
The NMC has already demolished part of its zone office building for the project.
