NMC demolishes encroachments around Ramkund for Kumbh Mela

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), on Monday, removed the encroachments around the Ramkund area in a bid to ensure smooth people movement during the Kumbh Mela.

JCB machines demolished the encroachment of the Shree Ganga Godavari Panch Kothi Purohit Sangh's Nashik office situated along the steps to the Ramkund. According to the NMC, the space on which the Sangh had built its office many years ago by erecting tin sheet walls and a roof belongs to the corporation.

The NMC's drive in the city has been going on for many months now; the Ramkund area has now come into focus.

Stall holders, kiosk owners, those putting up shades on the bridge over the river, and all such establishments that have come up illegally had been sent notices and asked to remove their structures. Small-time shopkeepers along the banks of the river, by the wall of the Naroshanker temple, over the bridge and others places along the bank had then removed the encroachments. The Sangh office, however, had not taken any cognisance, NMC officials said.

“Ten days ago, I called them up and requested them to remove the office and clear the space. We reminded them repeatedly, but no cognisance was taken. Finally, on Monday, we had to take action,” said RM Bahiram, deputy commissioner, anti-encroachment department, NMC.

Sangh president Satish Shukla, on the other hand, claimed that no notice was served to them. “We have been uprooted without any notice. This office had stood by the Ramkund for many years. It is that place where planning of many a Kumbh Mela by the Sangh has been done. How can they remove it?” questioned Shukla.

He further alleged that when the JCB machines were razing down their structure many Purohits were hurt. “We were doing pooja there for the pilgrims and the officials disturbed that too,” Shukla said, adding that the Sangh has documents to prove that the space belongs to it. “We are now filing a case against this removal. We will also file a complaint.”