For two weeks now, officials of Mumbai university have been running from pillar to post to stop the BMC from undertaking the widening of a nullah that runs through the sprawling Kalina campus, sayingit could lose this land to encroachments.
The officials twice tried to stop the work physically last week, but the BMC team resumed its activity.
The university had proposed that the nullah be shifted along the boundary and deepened by 10 feet. Officials provided a map for this. After some delay, the work began last month.
But the varsity officials realised that the BMC was not following the plan in the area adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and that the nullah was being dug about 5 to 15 feet from the boundary. There are two slums here and the officials fear that a vacant strip could be encroached on by the dwellers.
The next day, pro-vice chancellor and registrar protested against this, but the BMC simply continued with the work. On December 15, the pro-VC shot off a letter (a copy of the letter is with DNA) to the BMC executive engineer for storm water drains. Still there was no response.
University registrar Kumar Khaire, says, “The BMC is not ready to listen. It is not only robbing us of 1-1.5 acre, but also paving the way for more encroachment, due to pressure of local politicians.”
On Thursday, the Vakola police detained 11 university security guards who were instructed to try and stop the work. They were released later.
Minesh Pimple, assistant commissioner, H-East ward, sought time to get the details. Laxman Vhatkar, director of special engineering and deputy municipal chief, storm water drains, said, “There is some issue, but I am in a meeting.” He did not answer subsequent calls.
The officials twice tried to stop the work physically last week, but the BMC team resumed its activity.
The university had proposed that the nullah be shifted along the boundary and deepened by 10 feet. Officials provided a map for this. After some delay, the work began last month.
But the varsity officials realised that the BMC was not following the plan in the area adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and that the nullah was being dug about 5 to 15 feet from the boundary. There are two slums here and the officials fear that a vacant strip could be encroached on by the dwellers.
The next day, pro-vice chancellor and registrar protested against this, but the BMC simply continued with the work. On December 15, the pro-VC shot off a letter (a copy of the letter is with DNA) to the BMC executive engineer for storm water drains. Still there was no response.
University registrar Kumar Khaire, says, “The BMC is not ready to listen. It is not only robbing us of 1-1.5 acre, but also paving the way for more encroachment, due to pressure of local politicians.”
On Thursday, the Vakola police detained 11 university security guards who were instructed to try and stop the work. They were released later.
Minesh Pimple, assistant commissioner, H-East ward, sought time to get the details. Laxman Vhatkar, director of special engineering and deputy municipal chief, storm water drains, said, “There is some issue, but I am in a meeting.” He did not answer subsequent calls.
No comments:
Post a Comment