MahaMetro begins work on artificial banyan tree in Futala Lake sans nod

Nagpur: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has started construction of an artificial banyan tree in Futala lake, allegedly without obtaining necessary permissions and in violation of norms. A lot of the water body will be covered by the cement concrete and iron structure.
TOI had on January 23 reported MahaMetro has engaged a consortium of two private companies for development of artificial banyan tree. At that time, MahaMetro distanced itself from the project and denied allotment of any such work to any private company.

A visit to the lake revealed MahaMetro is executing the project through a consortium of two private companies. A fabricated base has been placed inside the water right behind the musical fountain. Around 12 heavy iron poles have been erected in the water. Another 12 such poles and some of smaller size are ready on the bank of the water body towards Futala slum, and are to be placed in the water in the coming days.
A huge quantity of white stones are also being dumped on the lake’s bank. MahaMetro sources told TOI all these stones will be used to build the base and wall at the rear. “The structure of the banyan tree is being readied and will be transported to the city in coming days. With the help of multimedia and modern technology, artificial banyan tree will be superimposed on the structure to be readied within the water,” sources said.
Futala lake is a grade-I heritage water body. Permission of Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) is necessary before beginning any works. A member of the HCC confirmed no permission had been given for artificial banyan tree work inside the lake.
Green crusader Shrikant Deshpande has alleged that MahaMetro continues to flout the norms of Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules-2017 and violates order passed by the Supreme Court. “No work, excluding conservation activities, is allowed inside the water. MahaMetro is destroying natural habitat of Futala lake. I had filed a petition in 2001 and saved the water body. Nothing is being planned for conservation of the lake,” he said.
Deshpande added there is need for a structural audit of retaining wall, measures to prevent soil erosion, desilting, improving water quality, revamping catchment area, preventing pollution from hawkers etc. “MahaMetro is engaged in misguiding people by executing artificial works and nothing related to rejuvenation of the lake. MahaMetro should plant banyan trees along roads and in vacant lands across the city instead of spending huge money on artificial trees and destroying the water body,” he said.
MahaMetro spokesperson said, “MahaMetro is doing this work. Banyan tree for 3D projection with audio visual facility is being executed as a variation to the original scope of the work. This is being done as per the provisions available in the original Futala project contract agreement.”
Anasuya Kale Chhabrani from NGO Swacch Association alleged MahaMetro had violated norms of the state government. “MahaMetro had constructed viewers gallery. We have copies of approved maps and related documents of the work which do not include the banyan tree. It is a major irregularity to execute works by avoiding tender,” she said.
A Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report had pointed out various such irregularities by MahaMetro in the past.