Sarnaik objects to reported plan for mayor's residence on Lata Mangeshkar Gurukul site in Mira Road

A music school is being built in Mira-Bhayandar in memory of Bharat Ratna and veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar. It is now being claimed that the ruling BJP has decided to cancel the project and build a mayor's residence on the same site. The claim has caused considerable anger among people.

Around 70 per cent of the work on the project, which has a cost of about Rs 25 crore, has been completed. The report of such a decision at this stage has stirred political circles. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has strongly opposed it.

The project's background is that there is a municipal ground near the Seven Eleven Club in Mira Road. It had been decided to build the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sangeet Gurukul on 15 per cent of that ground. About three years ago, on September 27, the bhoomipujan was performed by Eknath Shinde, then Chief Minister and now Deputy Chief Minister. The entire Mangeshkar family, including senior singer Usha Mangeshkar, was present on the occasion. Funds of about Rs 25 crore had been sanctioned for the project.

There is now talk in the city that the project of this Gurukul in Mira Road will be cancelled and a mayor's residence built there, and that the ruling BJP has taken this decision. Although 70 per cent of the work is done, Sarnaik has expressed strong displeasure at the idea of building a mayor's residence in place of the music school.

Sarnaik asked why a second residence is needed when the city already has a mayor's residence. He has also directed the municipal commissioner to look into the matter. This has cast a question mark over the future of the music school.

Sarnaik said the tendency to halt midway a project begun in the name of Bharat Ratna Lata Didi and build lavish palaces for themselves there is not merely infuriating but a blot on Maharashtra's pride. He has given strict instructions to Municipal Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma to look into the matter immediately and seriously.

All eyes are now on whether the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Sangeet Gurukul or the mayor's residence will come up on that 15 per cent of the municipal ground near the Seven Eleven Club.