NAGPUR: Don’t be mistaken, it is not a garbage dumping
ground, but a portion of probably the only open public utility land in
Gittikhadan area. This 1.25 acre land reserved for a children’s
playground and park at Barde Nagar is a victim of alleged attempt by a real estate developer to grab it, coupled with apathy of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).

According to residents, the land has become grazing ground for cattle
while sanitary workers appointed by the builder have been bumping waste
here since last six months. Team TOI visited the park only to find heaps
of garbage scattered all around, thus inconveniencing the children.
Instead, they preferred to play cricket on the road.

Ramkrishna Rao, a resident, said, “Though the NMC
waste collection van comes to the locality every day, builder Vinod
Dawre prevents them from collecting the garbage. Instead, he had
appointed a couple of sanitary workers who after collecting waste from
residents dump it at the playground. This is the main reason why the
playground is littered with filth. No official has taken any action
despite complaints.”

Another resident Binoy Shankar pointed out
that children in the locality have no option but to play amid
unhygienic surroundings. “The space has become a breeding ground for
mosquitoes and flies,” he said, adding the worst sufferers are nearby
residents who say this is the only PU land in this area.

Residents claimed that they have often raised this issue with the
Mangalwari zone office. Barde Nagar Sahnivas Nagrik Kruti Sanstha
(housing society action committee) also lodged a complaint with the
zonal office, but so far no action has been taken.

Finally, the residents approached corporator Bhushan Shingne
who visited the place and assured no garbage would be dumped on the
playground. “I will also develop the place in the coming financial year.
The civic authority is taking several measures to maintain playgrounds
and parks in the city,” he said.

Refuting the allegations,
builder Vinod Dawre blamed the NMC for the mess. He claimed that the NMC
sanitary workers visit the locality only once in a week. “To ensure
regular disposal of garbage, I had deployed two labourers who collect
waste from the locality but due to no other open space nearby they dump
it on the PU land.” He also alleged that the civic authority had not
taken any measure to develop the playground.