Playground concretisation went against HC directives

NAGPUR: The playground at Priyadarshini Colony, in the back of Nagpur City RTO office, was concretized and covered with paver blocks to turn it into a carpark.

The work was accomplished with MLA finances of West Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh through Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), despite orders through the Nagpur bench of Bombay top court docket in three PILs towards using or changing playgrounds for any functions rather than enjoying.

NMC assets instructed IdealNews some citizens of Priyadarshini Colony wanted paver blocks laid at the playground for parking functions. “Some citizens are using the playground for parking for closing a few years. Therefore, they asked co-opted corporator Nishant Gandhi and Deshmukh to put paver blocks at the playground,” assets mentioned.

Many youngsters and senior voters use the playground for playing football, cricket and strolling on a daily basis. The playground additionally has an open level for cultural and religious programmes.

However, the kind of work accomplished through the civic frame signifies that the aim was to transform the playground right into a parking place. Around 3-Four inch thick cement concrete layer was laid first, followed through a layer of gravel, and then paver blocks on best. The handiest reason why for cement concrete underneath paver blocks was to stop breakage of blocks all through parking and motion of four-wheelers. However, NMC can not convert the playground into parking place, so it accomplished the work within the identify of laying paver blocks, which is permitted on strolling tracks in grounds.

Deshmukh and Gandhi refused to remark at once at the query whether or not the aim was to transform playground into parking place. “You examine and to find out for what purpose the so-called playground was being utilized by citizens,” Gandhi instructed TOI.

The two public representatives additionally avoided replying to the query whether or not whole area of a playground must be covered with paver blocks. Gandhi mentioned, “Local people came to me and asked paver blocks. I simply forwarded the demand to Deshmukh.”

Gandhi added that folks had additionally demanded restore of the compound wall and beautification of the playground, and it was to be taken up in next section.

Deshmukh mentioned, “I do not know for what purpose the people wanted paver blocks at the playground. Gandhi and some people came to me and asked for finances to put paver blocks, and I approved it. But nobody adverse it all through bhoomipuja, and in addition while works had been happening at the spot,” he mentioned.

Activist Akshay Samarth, additionally an advocate, mentioned it is clear contempt of HC if public representatives and NMC wanted to transform the playground right into a parking place. “It is the only playground available within the area with around 300 apartments. Where will youngsters move to play and voters stroll,” he questioned.

Also, NMC has saved the cost of the work order just below Rs25 lakh to keep away from taking approval from the standing committee. The cost of the work was Rs24,97,555.