The Times of India 13.03.2013
VMC on defensive over Kamatibaug fountain
VADODARA: With protests opposing the multimedia laser fountain at Kamatibaug gaining momentum again, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC)
has started clarifying on the project and assured that the environment
of the garden will not be disturbed. The general board of the civic body
will be discussing the fountain project on Wednesday.
The row over the fountain has been raked up afresh ever since it was put up on the agenda of the general board. Earlier, the project was put in the cold storage in November with the VMC stating that the board will take a call on it even as the standing committee has already cleared it.
VMC deputy municipal commissioner R K Sugoor said that there were several misconceptions regarding the project that needed to be clarified. "Unlike the belief that the structure will be a concrete one, 65 per cent of the area will be open. Around 20 per cent will include hard structures like pavements, benches as well as washrooms while 15 per cent will have seating and projection facilities," he said.
Sugoor added the jogging track will not be affected in any way by the fountain. "It is being said that several trees will be felled. In reality, only eight to 10 trees may fall within the project area. We are trying to ensure that these are not felled," he said.
A major protest has been planned by the Congress in VMC and those opposing the project near the VMC headquarters at Khanderao Market on Wednesday. The Congress has already said that it will issue a whip to its councillors to oppose the project.
The row over the fountain has been raked up afresh ever since it was put up on the agenda of the general board. Earlier, the project was put in the cold storage in November with the VMC stating that the board will take a call on it even as the standing committee has already cleared it.
VMC deputy municipal commissioner R K Sugoor said that there were several misconceptions regarding the project that needed to be clarified. "Unlike the belief that the structure will be a concrete one, 65 per cent of the area will be open. Around 20 per cent will include hard structures like pavements, benches as well as washrooms while 15 per cent will have seating and projection facilities," he said.
Sugoor added the jogging track will not be affected in any way by the fountain. "It is being said that several trees will be felled. In reality, only eight to 10 trees may fall within the project area. We are trying to ensure that these are not felled," he said.
A major protest has been planned by the Congress in VMC and those opposing the project near the VMC headquarters at Khanderao Market on Wednesday. The Congress has already said that it will issue a whip to its councillors to oppose the project.
