Body which has Gadkari as patron backs no road through Bharat Van

Nagpur: Environment protection organization Vanarai Foundation, which has Union minister Nitin Gadkari as one of its top patron, has opposed the proposed road which threatens to destroy Bharat Van. The foundation runs its programme all over the state.
In a letter written to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner Abhijit Bangar, Vanrai has asked the civic body to “revisit the decision of constructing the road in Bharat Nagar”. Stating that the trees facing the axe are at least 100-150-year-old, the NGO said that the city’s green cover should not be destroyed for development work. “The existing roads are sufficient to manage the traffic flow and the proposed road is not needed,” stated Vanrai.

Former NCP leader and president of the organization Girish Gandhi told TOI that the body “stands in solidarity” with the public campaign. Welcoming the support, the citizens said that the leading NGO can do more. “The patrons of the organization are key decision-makers. Our expectation is that rather than NMC, Vanrai should now word this letter to its patrons so that hundreds of trees can be saved,” they said.

To this, Gandhi said, “Since the road is in NMC’s development plan, we have raised the issue with the commissioner.”

TOI has been reporting how citizens are protesting the proposed 500-meter-long road which will pass through the lush green forest owned by Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) and connect Bharat Nagar with Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran office near Telangkhedi Hanuman Mandir.

About 12 days back, the citizens had met Gadkari. who is seeking to get re-elected from Nagpur, and appealed to stop the road which will kill one of the few remaining biodiversity habitats of the city. Following this, the minister’s son Sarang had visited the spot. Congress candidate from Nagpur Nitin Patole too inspected the area.