When citizens fight for their rights, then the administration has no other go but to bow down. The best example is the demolition of food park in Savarkar Nagar garden. Here citizens fought, tried to convince civic body but did not get response. Finally, they knocked the doors of the court and justice was done. The court asked the civic body to immediately raze the food park and let people breath fresh air. With the blessings of some politicians, a contractor had constructed a food park inside this garden.

 

The gardens in the city are meant for the people, specially senior citizens and children, to spend their mornings and evenings here. Some gardens in the city are becoming victims of encroachment. One example is of Gandhibag garden and other of Savarkar Nagar garden. ‘The Hitavada’ raised both the issues. Gandhibag garden is battling further construction, but in case of Savarkar Nagar garden, the citizens got justice, thanks to the court. Noted Pulmonologist, Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, who filed the petition in the court, fought relentlessly till the justice was done. It all started three years ago. The garden was developed on a Public Utility (PU) land meant for the public. The construction of food park started without taking the opinion of anybody in the colony into account. Savarkar Nagar houses the homes of retired State and Central Government officers, who sought peace after their superannuation.

 

Taking serious cognizance of the construction work, Savarkar Nagar Garden Bachao Samiti agitated, but the authorities did not respond. Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Garden Superintendent Amol Chorpagar had the temerity to ask who had refused permission to the contractor to set up the food park inside the garden. Surprisingly, the then Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B did not find anything objectionable when it was brought to his notice that the food park had blocked the view of the garden.

 

The visitors to the food park used to park their vehicles wherever space was available without giving much thought to the residents’ inconvenience. Many citizens feared losing peace in their twilight years. Fortunately, the fight by Dr Swarnakar in the court brought some respite to the people of this area. NMC has begun the process of removing the food park and 75% stalls have already been demolished. In a day or two, the work would be accomplished.