Nagpur: Under fire for not taking definitive steps on the Swami Vivekananda statue at Ambazari dam spillway as alleged by 9/23 flood-hit residents, the State Government on Friday said it may regularize the statue if a study finds it does not contribute to flooding. The Government mentioned this in an affidavit filed in response to Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court’s June 14 directive that sought State Govt’s clarification on the statue’s impact on Ambazari dam spillway.
The affidavit noted the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has commissioned Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, to conduct a study on the statue’s potential to cause floods. The hydraulic study will consider various flood mitigation measures such as installing gates, removing impediments in river basins, and raising the height of the bridge. The affidavit mentioned that CWPRS would need seven months to complete the study and submit a report.
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The Govt’s stand on the issue was stated by State Urban Development Department Secretary Govindaraj Gowda through Government Pleader Deven Chauhan.
A PIL by flood-affected residents had sought removal of encroachments and rejuvenation of Nag River and Ambazari Lake. They termed the September 23 deluge that caused severe flooding in the city a “manmade disaster” and demanded a judicial inquiry to hold officials accountable for waterlogging that affected over 25,000 homes, besides causing widespread damage.
While the residents are demanding immediate shifting of the statue as it becomes an obstruction point for the smooth flow of the water of the Ambazari dam, the State Government is trying to protect the statue, alleged a resident.
This study aims to assess whether the statue could exacerbate flooding issues in the region. “The High Power Committee has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to prepare for immediate action pending the CWPRS report,” the affidavit stated. It highlighted that if the study finds no major contribution to flooding, the government might consider exempting the statue from prior resolutions that deemed it an obstruction.
However, this stance has sparked strong opposition from Ambazari residents, who recalled the devastating floods of the previous year. They argue that the statue obstructs water flow and creates flood risks during monsoons.
Advocate Tushar Mandlekar, representing petitioners in the High Court, criticised the government’s inclination to potentially regularise what he described as an illegal structure. “Thousands of homes were inundated, causing immense financial losses. The government should prioritise citizens’ safety over any other consideration,” Mandlekar asserted.
