Fate of Poonam Tower in limbo
| Date :17-Sep-2019 |
N Kumar claims to have all valid documents when he received sanctions in 2002, 2004
How the then authority allowed the construction in front of Vidhan Bhavan?
Principal Correspondent :
Poonam Tower stands tall in front of Vidhan Bhavan has become an unresolved matter after 20 years, when its construction started. Two years ago, the present Maharashtra Government realised its security threat and the process of acquiring the building got momentum. Though Government did take daredevil step by constituting committee under Dr Anant Kalse, the then Principal Secretary of State Legislature in last monsoon session, it was just a small attempt as the issue has several angles needed to be looked after. Now Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) on whose land the building constructed by renowned builder N Kumar, stands, is checking every aspect of this Tower, informed Sheetal Ugale, Chairperson of NIT. Issue being raised is how the then authority whosoever the Chairman of NIT or Nagpur Municipal Corporation allowed the construction?
It is the perspective view of Poonam Tower. It was supposed to look like this.
Later on it went into dispute and everything stopped. The building at present is probably not in a good shape and has become safety threat to the common public also. When the authorities permitted the construction probably went thoughtless and ignored the fact that it could be the threat to Vidhan Bhavan situated exactly in the front of the Tower. Somehow, the present Government took the stand. Earlier in 2016 one such attempt was made by Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule who had declared in a press conference that the State wanted to acquire Poonam Tower. In the beginning N Kumar had denied any such development and made it clear that he would not sell half-finished construction to anybody. Now things have changed and it seems that N Kumar did give his consent to the Government’s proposal of selling the building. He told ‘The Hitavada’, “Government is paying good money to me so why should I bother. Talks are going in cordial way.”
Dr Anant Kalse committee submitted its report and recommended, Vidhan Bhavan would acquire the building and some offices of legislature for which no place remained in the Vidhan Bhavan premises could be accommodated in Poonam Tower. Apart from offices of Vidhan Bhavan, some regular offices at Nagpur also could be shifted was the whole plan chalked out by Government. Meanwhile a meeting of Vidhan Bhavan officers, District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, NIT Chairperson, Public Works Department was held. It was decided to do it on Build Operate Transfer basis, confirmed Sheetal Ugale. N Kumar too had attended the meeting. Now the work of valuation has been given to Public Works Department (PWD). PWD has asked Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) to do the structural audit. Director of VNIT Dr P M Padole did not disclose the details except that the audit was being done by the Institute. According to Kumar nothing has been done.
“I got sanction for constructing the complete tower plus revolving restaurant at the top long back. I have full documents. But there are some people who are against development. In fact issue should be raised whether there is any rule that says, construction is not allowed near Vidhan Bhavan or near VIP bungalows. Visit Mumbai and you would see tall buildings stand erected near Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, Ministers’ bungalows. Still I have no problem to handover the building if I get the proper compensation. I have taken lot of efforts for it.” Though several meetings were conducted, nothing concrete has taken place. Talks too were very primary and no amount was offered by the developer, Kumar made it clear.
Legal disputes against N Kumar are already underway in the court of law. Issue of tax recovery around Rs 50 crore from N Kumar is still pending. They can not charge tax on Poonam Tower, since it is half constructed and has no Occupancy Certificate. VNIT will make the audit and submit it to civic authority to be forwarded it to State Legislature. State Legislature will authorise the Government agency that would take the proposal further. Teacher of VNIT on condition of anonymity told ‘The Hitavada’, “The team is technically check the strength of building, its structural health and accordingly place the details before the Government. N Kumar had constructed this building with a plan to have a revolving restaurant at top floor. During construction also the building did not get nod from the authority as no commercial activity was expected in front of Vidhan Bhavan for security reasons.