Published On : Thu, Oct 26th, 2017

Nagpur Metro gets nod for construction at KP ground, shifting part of Krazy Castle

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Nagpur: Even as the state government has proposed to exempt the projects like metro and mono rail stations from seeking permission of planning authorities to carry out the construction, Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation is already ahead in getting nod for construction at Kasturchand Park and Krazy Castle amusement park in the city. The heritage conservation committee has relaxed its condition for Mahametro to develop, operate and maintain Kasturchand Park (KP) in lieu of taking over a part of one of the city’s most famous open spaces for a rail station.

Similarly, Krazy Castle a privately run wedding venue cum water park in front of Ambazari lake would have to part ways with a part of its land. However, contrary to earlier plan in which Mahametro had planned for complete demolition of Krazy Castle for construction of Nagpur Metro Rail viaduct and station, the revised plan would require the park management to shift rides to its parking area.

On August 5, 2016, the heritage panel had objected to Mahametro’s plea seeking 408.459 sq m of KP land for the construction of a station. Then it decided to give its nod only on the condition that Mahametro would maintain and ensure cleanliness of the ground.

In its reply, the Mahametro said that the KP ground’s jurisdiction is with the collector who accords permission for various activities and “is continuously used by general public as a playground”. “The area is quite large and practically not possible to maintain. The law and order issues rests with the state police and only the collector can lay down the condition for its use for multiple activities around the year. With the congregation of lakhs of people attending prime events, the control on the maintenance is beyond our scope and powers,” it said in its letter to the panel.

However, the Mahametro has offered to set up a projector screen on the wall of the proposed metro station for awareness messages as part of its continuous contribution to the city of Nagpur.

Meanwhile, Mahametro managing director Brijesh Dixit, who met the owners of Haldiram’s on Wednesday, informed that the rides at the water-cum-amusement park would be shifted to the parking area on the rear side by Mahametro at its own cost. The visitors to the park can park their vehicles across the road. “This land belongs to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Mahametro is ready to ask for this land from NMC. The parking can be developed by us or Haldiram’s,” the MD said.

The plan was discussed with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis before the meeting with the owners of the park.
The 6.4 acre park land belongs to Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and has been leased to Haldiram Foods International for 20 years up to 2022. Mahametro needs the front portion of the land, which comes to one-third.

Haldiram’s feels that if front portion is given then the park will lose its value and become a loss making venture. It wants NIT to take back the whole land and pay it Rs162 crore compensation. NIT has asked Mahametro to settle the issue with Haldiram’s.