MTDC takes over the tourism production of Ambazari Garden

A few days ago, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Through its Mumbai-based PPP operator Garuda Amusements Park (Nagpur) Pvt Ltd, the MTDC has planned to continue the garden and add fitness, recreation, entertainment, tourism, clubhouse and business activities to the extensive 44-acre land at a cost of Rs80-100 crore. Vinay Wavdhane, the executive engineer of MTDC, told TOI that the garden will remain open on the NMC’s lines to morning walkers and visitors. “The operator was advised to start the morning walker pass system. Even the entrance fees for morning walkers will remain the same, “he said. The commitment of MTDC to walkers in the morning will prevent public criticism. In a letter to the NMC, Jan Samasya Nivaram Manch’s office-bearers feared reversal to morning walkers. Wavdhane said the developer will need to grow the garden in accordance with the design plan, which will be approved by the MTDC within two years, followed by 28 more years of operation and maintenance.” The NMC had previously developed the garden on just 19 acres, and the remaining area was in an abandoned state. Now, the MTDC will make use of the whole land. Only 0.15-floor space index (FSI) is permitted to the operator concrete construction as the entire area is reserved as a green zone. There will be no multi-level structures, therefore, and all operations will be encouraged in a green and environmentally friendly way, “he said.

It will be the first-ever PPP project from MTDC and also the first one in the state’s urban city. The MTDC is likely to earn Rs1.50 crore per year from the project without any expenditure.The MTDC would add a bike lane along the current walking track, green gym and a leisure hut in the garden according to the proposed conceptual master plan. Amphitheater, exhibition & art gallery and herbal/botanical arena will grow the urban hut of 50 commercial shops. The play area for children will be transformed into a state-of-the-art amusement park with water park, fish aquarium, food court and shops for souvenirs. Left abandoned for decades by the municipal body, the developer will build the community center with banquet halls, party lawns, 20-room resort and kitchen. There will also be a clubhouse with a swimming pool, gym, table tennis court, card room, badminton court, lawn tennis court, squash room, bar-cum-restaurant, jacuzzi, steam bath, etc.

West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre said the NMC would take back the garden as people lose their property once it is built by the private operator. “Every private operator would try their own advantage. The green zone and the water body will be polluted by banquet halls, lawns, club house etc. Because of low fees, families visit the garden in large numbers. For all types of activities, the operator must keep high entry fees, “he said.” The move is opposed by people residing in adjacent areas such as Verma layout, Ambazari, Pandhrabodi, etc. I’m going to talk to people and raise the issue with the government if everyone wants the NMC to continue to look after the garden, “he added.