Friday, June 23, 2023
Citing an investigation report presented by divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has put the Ambazari garden tourism project on hold.
The corporation has asked its private operator, M/s Garuda Amusement Park (Nagpur) Pvt Ltd, to halt operations immediately till further directives are issued.
The conclusions of the inquiry report were not addressed by the MTDC managing director in a letter written to the operator on June 19. In an interview with TOI Bidari said,“It is a confidential report and submitted to government.”
TOI citing reliable sources from divisional commissionaratereports that state’s tourism and cultural affairs department sent letter dated February 15 to divisional commissioner to conduct transparent inquiry into collapse of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Cultural Centre. Divisional commissioner constituted an inquiry committee of six officials. Findings of the inquiry were submitted to the government on May 15.
Inquiry revealed structure was demolished and did not cave in due to thunderstorm.
The MTDC has provided no instructions for reopening the garden to the public. The garden is purportedly closed to the public since 2019, when the MTDC handed it over to the operator for construction.
On citizens’ request, the garden is maintained open solely for morning walkers between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., however no photography or filming is permitted, and other restrictions also apply.
A Garuda Amusement director stated to TOI that he will provide the company reply but had not done so as of the time the report was filed. According to the corporation, the facility was deteriorated and caved in owing to a rainstorm.
A big group of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar supporters staged an agitation in front of the garden to demand action. On Wednesday, the agitation had lasted 153 days.
Organizing secretary of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Pratap Goswami said, “Agitation will continue until 20 acres land adjacent to garden, which was with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Cultural Centre, is provided for Ambedkar Bhavan. Government is shielding operator despite brazen violations and criminal act. Ambazari police registered an offence against directors of Garuda Amusement for demolition of Dr Ambedkar Centre only after district court dismissed a review petition.”
Goswami stated that the works have been stayed citing inquiry report of divisional commissioner.
“Government should have terminated the contract of private operator and transferred lease and possession of entire area to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) if it wanted to reopen the garden to public and had no intention to save operator,” he said.
According to the AAP office bearer, the case has been transferred from Ambazari police to the Economic Offence Wing (EoW). This was confirmed by an officer from the Ambazari police station.
“EoW probes financial-related irregularities. Case was limited to demolition of Dr Ambedkar Centre. This too indicates non-transparency in investigation and a step to save the operator,” Goswami alleged.
Welcoming the stay, state BJP vice-president DharampalMeshram said to TOI,“DyCM Devendra Fadnavis has directed MTDC to impose stay. Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and other BJP leaders have done justice to followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who were hurt due to demolition of the historic structure,” he said.
MTDC had hired an operator to design, build, finance, run, and transfer a tourism project. The government has amended a 42.85-acre land reserve from Ambazari Garden to a tourism development project.
Friday, June 23, 2023
Friday, June 23, 2023
Friday, June 23, 2023
Comments: