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.