Nagpur: Kasturchand Park or commonly known as KP Ground is not only the biggest ground located in the heart of city but a proud landmark for Nagpurians. The ground which produced many a sportsperson from the city and once was a thriving sporting arena is now in pathetic condition to say the least; repeated exploitation by unnecessary exhibitions, religious programmes, and political gatherings has ruined this Grade I Heritage public place.
The greed of district administration for commercial benefit, zero maintenance by the Public Works Department and Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Inaction of Heritage Conservation Committee and ineffective Public Interest Litigations has brought this ground from glory to dust.
‘Parivartan Citizen Forum’ is fighting a losing battle since 1997 for betterment of this ground it has approached High Court on several occasions apart from giving deputations to all the serving District Collectors of Nagpur District in the last decade, even the present Chief Minister and Guardian minister when apprised about the condition of this historic ground had promised to take immediate and corrective measures but promises proved to be false. The Daga family which is still a well-to-do and powerfully connected family has never bothered about this ground and not even once raised the issue to protect the heritage structures constructed by their forefather.
Late Kasturchand Daga after whose name this historic ground is, was one of the biggest philanthropist, educator, astute businessman, institution builder and pioneer in industrial development of this region. To honour his contribution the Nagpur Municipal Corporation is rightly observing his death centenary by organizing a grand programme on 16 Dec. at KP Ground wherein Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and who’s who of Political and Local Administration will be attending. Hope that instead of only glorifying the past in their respective speeches they say something about the present condition of this historic ground and promise to take concrete and effective step in bringing back the lost glory of this landmark of Nagpur City which will be the only true tribute to Sir Kasturchand Daga.
