NMC promises ‘no arches during fests’

Nagpur: In some respite for motorists and pedestrians who used to face a harrowing time due to welcome gates and arches erected during religious festivals, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has assured the high court that such structures will not be permitted in the future.
Despite the court’s stringent directives from time to time, NMC officials used to grant permissions to various religious organizations of all sects and religions, to erect such structures and even pandals that completely blocked busy roads.The problem became more severe during Ganesh, Durga and other religious festivals. Roads used to witness severe traffic congestion and chaos, even leading to accidents many times. TOI has been continuously following this issue for many years and launched a relentless campaign against such structures.
On Thursday, civic chief Shravan Hardikar also tendered an apology for allowing welcome gates or arches during Ram Navami festival this year. He assured the court that corporation officials would scrupulously follow HC order of February 25, 2015, which specifically said “no welcome arches/gates etc should be permitted on city roads for any festival”.
“It was totally unintentional and was not deliberate. The corporation authorities are duty bound to obey the court’s orders. However, I tender an unconditional apology if this court comes to the conclusion that any action on my part amounts to wilful disobedience or violation of any HC orders, particularly that of September 16, 2009,” Hardikar said in an affidavit.
The affidavit was in response to a PIL filed by social workers Dr Gajanan Zade and Manohar Khorgade, through counsel Firdos Mirza, praying for directives to civic bodies to remove illegal structures that have become nuisance for public.
Earlier, the civic chief informed that they conducted a survey of unauthorized religious structures on public places in city and the data is being compiled. About 42 structures came up before September 29, 2009, and 51 after that, and all of them were demolished.