Developers, builders and others are eyeing to regularise unauthorized plots and construction on as many as 14,000 plots reserved for various public amenities across the city. Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has rejected most of these applications citing Nagpur bench of Bombay high court verdicts, but is ready to regularize them in case Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) drops reservation in city’s development plan (DP) currently under preparation.
In an informal discussion with scribes on Wednesday, NIT chairman Manoj Kumar Suryawanshi said, “Some 83,708 applications were received online and 57,407 in physical format, seeking regularization of unauthorized plots and buildings under Gunthewari 2.0 on or before December 31. Of these, 5,393 applications have been approved, while 13,746 applications were rejected due to various reservations. Most applications were also rejected in Gunthewari 1.0. NIT can regularize only if NMC changes reservation in upcoming DP.”
TOI had reported on July 9, 2018, that unauthorized layouts on open lands were close to being regularized. Citing TOI report, advocate Anil Kumar Mulchandani had filed a PIL (88/2018) in the HC for Ajay Tiwari. The HC order dated July 11, 2018, directed, “No steps to regularize any structure on open land/public amenity shall be taken by respondents.” NIT was one of the respondents.
TOI had on January 2 reported that an official from NIT passed an order directing concerned official to start process of regularization of five unauthorized plots on four open spaces of a layout in mouza Manewada. More such applications under process cannot be ruled out if one considers the 13,746 applications received.
Suryawanshi said, “Gunthewari 2.0 will be implemented in metropolitan region in March or April. On lines of Koradi Pilgrimage Centre, CM Eknath Shinde has engaged Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) for planning and execution of Ramtek Pilgrimage Project costing around Rs250 crore. Additional works of around Rs200 crore have been approved for further development of Deekshabhoomi. We are planning to develop Deekshabhoomi on the lines of Buddhist theme. Detailed project report (DPR) for providing fitness and sports facilities in around 90 playgrounds costing Rs100 crore is ready.”
Inviting controversy, NIT has proposed construction of 100 food stalls below Metro Rail corridor along the embankment of Ambazari lake. During construction of Metro Rail corridor, it had come to fore that permission of water resources department, dam safety organization etc is must to plan anything on or at the toe of embankment. Also, the HC had passed orders for strengthening of embankment, which is yet to commence.
Suryawanshi said, “We will ensure sufficient parking space in front of Krazy Castle, which is also under construction by NIT and MahaMetro in a new manner. Ambazari swimming pool has become state’s second to be equipped with ozone system. I have also directed development of a restaurant in the pool premises.”