Nagpur: The Deputy Chief Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Devendra Fadnavis told followers of Dr Ambedkar on Sunday that the State Government will oust private operator M/s Garuda Amusement Park (Nagpur) Pvt Ltd, and develop Ambazari garden tourism project, cultural and memorial centre for Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar itself,
The people staging an agitation for this at the garden for the last 157 days have planned a rally from Variety Square to Samvidhan Square on Monday to mark the victory of their stir. A delegation comprising Kishor Gajbhiye, Dhanraj Dahat, Balu Gharde, Sudhir Wase and others presented a bouquet to Fadnavis and welcomed the move to impose stay on works being executed by private operator Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) at the garden.
Fadnavis urged them to end the agitation, adding he will take steps as per their wishes and agitation going on for the last many days. “There will be no private operator any more on this project. Government will execute whatever works are planned at the garden. Attractive and huge hall in the name of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar will be constructed. The Government will maintain ownership of the land,” he said.
West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre was also present at the meeting and demanded Fadnavis should reopen the garden to the public as soon as possible. When a couple of people expressed hesitation about withdrawing the agitation, Fadnavis took potshots at the MVA Government for not taking any action on demolition of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Sanskrutik Bhavan.
He said the structure was demolished during the MVA Government. “I never bring politics into development. We brought back Indu Mill land. We also approved various works for repair and beautification of Deekshabhoomi. I imposed a stay with immediate effect on the private operator. We need to follow a process, and things will be done soon,” he assured the protestors. A few persons demanded reservation of Ambedkar Bhavan on 20 acres of land. Fadnavis requested them not to put terms and conditions on him as he was working on a positive note. “There are no records of reservation. Hand me the documents if anyone has to prove reservation,” he said.
Organizing Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party Pratap Goswami said, “NMC has violated the Constitution by handing over Ambazari land to MTDC. Article 243W confers the responsibility on municipalities to run and maintain public gardens. Ambazari garden is a well developed and grade-1 heritage site. No changes can be made in the grade-1 heritage site. Only maintenance and preservation works are allowed. Therefore, the garden cannot be converted into a tourism site.”
