Ambazari embankment work yet to begin a year after HC deadline

Nagpur: Government agencies — Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Water Resources Department (WRD), MahaMetro and Dam Safety Organization (DSO) — are yet to finalize the design, detailed plan and start execution of the works to strengthen the embankment of the Ambazari lake despite the deadline set by the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court which lapsed 13 months ago.
The MahaMetro has dug up some portion of the embankment despite permission given to construct the Metro Rail corridor and station in the open space below the embankment.
According to the report of the DSO, which comes under the Central Design Organization (CDO), the embankment is over 147 years old. It’s lifespan ended 47 years ago and now, it is in a dangerous condition.
Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Mohammed Shahid Sharif, the HC, in its order dated March 21, 2018, had directed government agencies to finalize the plan for strengthening the embankment before April 15, 2018 and begin work immediately. “DSO, in consultation with NMC, MahaMetro and WRD shall prepare plans for ensuring safety of the dam, which has outlived its life. The said plans must be finalized by April 15, 2018. After the plans are finalized, DSO, either by itself or through the local WRD chosen by it, shall forthwith start work for execution of such measures,” the HC ordered.
NMC and MahaMetro officials told TOI that the necessary documents and funds for preparing the detailed plan have been submitted to the WRD.
An official from WRD said that the survey to give details to CDO is underway. “CDO will prepare the design for executing the works,” the official said.
The design and plan are yet to be finalized and hence, the work has not started for obvious reasons.
The length of the embankment is 952 metres. MahaMetro has constructed the Metro Rail corridor and station covering 342 metres. As per the HC’s orders, the MahaMetro has to bear the cost for works planned in the 342-metre stretch. The state government will pay for the remaining portion.
NMC officials said the government is yet to approve funds. “The exact cost of the works will be known after finalization of the plan. Only after that will the government approve the funds,” they said.
Given the way things stand, more time will be needed for the execution of the works.
The MahaMetro hasn’t made the situation any better. It has constructed some pillars of the Metro station by digging up the embankment. The pillars of the corridor are in the open space below the embankment. But 3-5 pillars of the station in front of Krazy Castle are in the embankment.
The MahaMetro even chopped at least 10 big trees situated on the embankment for the station. Only some portion of the trunk is left.
The NMC had given the NOC to execute all works below the embankment.
The MahaMetro had created a controversy by starting works from December 2016 without taking consent of the government and the NMC. Also, the MahaMetro had not taken any technical opinion from experts. TOI had reported all these issues on February 5, 2017.
Sharif had filed a PIL by citing violations by MahaMetro and norms prohibiting any works within 200 metres from the embankment.
“It is a contempt of the HC’s orders for not beginning works within the deadline,” said Sharif.
“HC appreciated the PIL filed by me and gave responsibility to all government departments for ensuring safety of the dam. Hundreds of people reside in the down stream of the lake. Despite this fact, all agencies neglected the dam for decades and continue to do so,” he said.
GROUND REALITY
* The 952 metre-long embankment of Ambazari lake is over 147 years old
* MahaMetro started works of Metro Rail corridor and station below the embankment in December 2016
* No permissions were taken before starting the works
* Norm says no construction allowed within 200 metres from embankment
* Activist Shahid Sharif filed a PIL in HC
* NMC and heritage committee issued NOCs
* DSO said no threat to dam from Metro Rail works if done below it
* DSO said embankment’s life expired. It’s in a dangerous condition and requires strengthening works urgently
* HC asked DSO, WRD, MahaMetro and NMC to finalize plan by April 15, 2018 and begin works immediately
* At present, WRD is conducting a survey to give data to CDO
* CDO will finalize the design for executing works
* Government yet to approve funds