Ex-corporator building pucca house in Futala catchment area

Nagpur: Throwing rules to the wind, three-time Congress corporator Kamlesh Chaudhary has started construction of a residential building in the catchment area of Futala Lake without any building plan sanction from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).
Many officials of the civic body, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (Mafsu) etc are aware of the construction activities, but have remained a mute spectator.
Faced notices for unauthorized constructions also in the past, Chaudhary has already completed work on the ground floor and further construction is in full swing.
Chaudhary confirmed to TOI that he is constructing a residential building. “My family has been living at this place for over 100 years. NMC had issued notice declaring the house a dilapidated one. I have small children and other family members. Therefore, I have started construction of the house for safety of my family members. I have submitted necessary documents with the NMC and sought permission,” he said.
Officials from NMC’s Dharampeth zone told TOI that Chaudhary did not obtain building plan sanction for the construction he is doing right now. “He has submitted an online application seeking sanction and it is pending with the town planning department. Therefore, he cannot start any construction. We will take appropriate action after seeking details from him and PDKV,” they said.
Green activist Shrikant Deshpande said, “It is the catchment area of Futala Lake and any cement concrete construction is not permissible as per Wetlands (conservation and management) Rules. It will obviously disturb entire ecosystem of the lake. It is very shocking that pucca house construction is going on in the lake’s catchment area.”
Activist Jwala Dhote demanded action against all concerned NMC officials. “It is a clear case of politician misusing his clout after getting elected on public support. He (Chaudhary) is setting wrong examples for the public to follow. Main culprits are officials who otherwise waste no time in razing shanties, stalls etc of the poor,” said Dhote.
“The area where the construction is going on is a prime location and officials of various departments visit there on daily basis for works being executed around the lake. Yet, no action has been taken. Ministers are also responsible for the blatant violation of norms by Chaudhary as they too visit the place and pose for photographs with him. Then, people like Chaudhary misuse their powers in such activities,” she said.
In 2019, the civic body had issued notice to Chaudhary for operating a lawn in the same area. The lawn is still in operation and a cement concrete structure housing its booking office has been constructed right along the road.
The NMC had demolished a temple constructed on the premises a couple of years ago. Now, a new cement concrete structure has come up for the temple.
Moreover, an illegal hoarding has been erected along the road. Officials from NMC advertisement department confirmed to TOI that no permission has been given for advertisement hoarding at that particular place. Still, no action has been taken.