The viewing gallery being erected on one side of Futala lake is set to mar the view of the lake from the road violating conservation of heritage bye-laws. Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister of Nagpur has raised a strong objection to it. Dr Raut, during his speech in a function held on Friday, lambasted the very idea of constructing viewing gallery at Futala.

‘The Hitavada’ has been highlighting the issue as to how the construction is obstructing the natural view of lake. Experts had pointed out, there was no such evidence in the world where such kind of construction is being done that blocked the view of Grade-I heritage structure.

In a programme where slumdwellers were given ownership rights, Dr Raut during his speech opposed the development of viewing gallery. Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar, Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, District Collector R Vimla, Nagpur Improvement Trust Chairman Dr Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi attended the programme.

Dr Raut said, “We also want Nagpur to be developed, people should get employment, industries should come. That doesn’t mean we should distort our structure. Places like Futala lake and its surrounding are the glories of our city. People used to go there, celebrate various festivals, it had become a good spot for youngsters. During our last tenure we through NIT had developed the premises.”

Expressing regret over the construction of stadium-like structure (viewing gallery), Dr Raut warned, “We will conduct enquiry of the matter. Whatever development we had made was devastated by the previous Government.”

Informing the audience Dr Raut pointed out, “In the year 1995, a bridge was constructed by the previous Government in the name of Orange City. The bridge was later demolished. Same situation was created now near Futala. The idea behind constructing viewing gallery is to attract people to come to see the proposed show. Why should one expect people to come near Futala during night hours just to see the show?”

Hammering further Dr Raut said, “The viewing gallery is being constructed in the middle of the road. Instead the gallery should have been developed beyond the road where the eating joints were functioning. In the new development those eating joints too were demolished. The whole activity is beyond everybody’s understanding. Had the gallery been erected beyond the road, it would have provided work to people. We will conduct the enquiry of the complete matter.”