The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has denied allegations of approving the construction of a food plaza at Veer Savarkar Nagar Garden, a public utility land in the city. In a statement to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, the NMC clarified that its agreement with the contractor was solely for maintenance purposes, not for any commercial construction.
According to local media report, during a hearing, NMC counsel Sudhir Puranik told the division bench, comprising Justice Avinash Gharote and Justice Abhay Mantri, that the garden was transferred to the NMC by the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) in 2020. “Since the transfer, NMC has had no involvement in any construction there,” Puranik said, emphasizing that the agreement dated August 20, 2019, was only for garden maintenance.
In response, the High Court instructed the food plaza owner to submit an affidavit confirming that no commercial activities are being carried out on the garden premises.
The issue came to light through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by concerned residents of Savarkar Nagar. The petitioners argued that the food plaza, currently under construction near the Inner Ring Road, violates provisions of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, and the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act. They contended that the garden serves as an essential recreational space for residents, traditionally used for activities like yoga, jogging, and sports. The petitioners claimed that any commercial activity on the premises disrupts these functions and undermines the garden’s role as a public utility.
The petitioners also pointed out the administrative inaction despite a communication from the Deputy Collector (Revenue) on May 12, 2023, urging the NMC to address the issue. They called for the removal of the under-construction plaza or a halt to further work.
Earlier, media reports highlighted the controversy, accusing both the NIT and NMC of failing to act on residents’ complaints. The High Court has adjourned the matter to December 2 for further hearing.