The Times of India 27.09.2010
Don’t give civic body’s gardens
The Consumer Service and Research Association has opposed Nagpur Municipal Corporation plan to develop 32 gardens on BOT basis. They fear this scheme would lead to unfair practices and loss of green cover of city.
The association questioned NMC’s plans saying people would end up paying more for entry and parking. They also feared the contractors would recover charges of use of electricity or water from residents.
“It is the corporation’s duty to develop and maintain gardens on a no-profit basis. There will be loss of green cover when gardens are cut for installing amusement equipment too,” said AG Moolay, secretary of the association.
The association has submitted a letter to the Municipal Commissioner in this regard requesting a stay on this plan. NMC has picked 32 of 55 city gardens and put them in A, B and C categories. As per the proposal, private operators will provide food plaza, cafeteria and amusement facilities in A and B category gardens. NMC will pay power and water bills for C category gardens while other costs will be incurred by operators. The operators would be able to recover their cost by charging entry and parking fees from the visitors.
The association questioned NMC’s plans saying people would end up paying more for entry and parking. They also feared the contractors would recover charges of use of electricity or water from residents.
“It is the corporation’s duty to develop and maintain gardens on a no-profit basis. There will be loss of green cover when gardens are cut for installing amusement equipment too,” said AG Moolay, secretary of the association.
The association has submitted a letter to the Municipal Commissioner in this regard requesting a stay on this plan. NMC has picked 32 of 55 city gardens and put them in A, B and C categories. As per the proposal, private operators will provide food plaza, cafeteria and amusement facilities in A and B category gardens. NMC will pay power and water bills for C category gardens while other costs will be incurred by operators. The operators would be able to recover their cost by charging entry and parking fees from the visitors.
