Groups object to plan to close road near Samvidhan Chowk; Nagpur civic chief hears objections

A dispute over the protest site at the historic Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur and the public land around it has intensified. Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar heard objections raised by organisations and assured them that the protest site would not be affected. The organisations, however, have questioned why the administration has not put forward a concrete plan.

Various organisations became active after the dispute over the public space at and around Samvidhan Chowk came to the fore. The municipal administration had invited objections and suggestions on a proposed process relating to the land and the road. On Friday, Commissioner Itankar heard these objections at the municipal headquarters.

At the hearing, office-bearers of the organisations asked questions about the future of the protest site, public transport and the proposed construction plan. The Commissioner replied to their concerns and tried to clarify the position. Even so, the organisations were not fully satisfied with the administration's handling of the matter.

During the discussion, the Commissioner said that the situation was not what was being claimed, that the protest site at Samvidhan Chowk was under threat. According to him, the protest site will not be harmed in any way.

The administration said that an alternative route would be built in place of the road proposed to be closed for the Vidhan Bhavan expansion plan. It is claimed that the road leading to Samvidhan Chowk will not be closed. It was also said that the plan is to close one of two roads and widen the other.

The municipal corporation's estate department had issued a public notice under Section 203 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949. It proposes closing the existing public road for the expansion of the Vidhan Bhavan premises.

According to the notice, a road about 18 metres wide and 80 metres long, lying between a triangular plot near Vidhan Bhavan and the existing Vidhan Bhavan premises, is required for the expansion plan. The proposal to close this road has become the cause of the dispute.

Former MP Jogendra Kawade, the Maharashtra Officers Forum and other organisations filed objections. The organisations say Samvidhan Chowk is an important place in the city for agitations and demonstrations. They fear that if the road is closed, it could affect the use of the site and public transport.

Questions were raised at the hearing about the alternative road, the additional strain on traffic and the plan to preserve the present character of Samvidhan Chowk. According to the organisations, the administration gave oral assurances on these issues instead of presenting a detailed written plan.

All eyes are now on what decision the municipal administration takes after the hearing and how the plan for the proposed alternative route emerges.