Vivekananda Memorial: Relocation Ordered by HC, NMC Tasked with Finding Alternative Site

Understanding the HC Directive

Vivekananda Memorial | Ambazari Dam: In a significant move, the Nagpur High Court has issued a directive to relocate the Vivekananda statue from the Ambazari lake spillway. This decision stemmed from Advocate General (AG) Birendra Saraf’s acknowledgment during a virtual hearing from Mumbai that the structure’s construction violates state irrigation department rules. These rules strictly prohibit any construction within 200 meters of a water body. Previously, the NMC (Nagpur Municipal Corporation) faced the HC’s ire for defending the statue’s construction on the spillway, citing amendments to irrigation department rules in 2017 allowing constructions within 30 meters of the water body.

Reprimand and Remedial Measures

The bench reproached the NMC for its failure to complete the hydraulic assessment of the Ambazari dam and maintain proper communication with relevant authorities. Consequently, the HC ordered the NMC to take temporary measures to control water spillage before the monsoon season, emphasizing that they need not await the court’s verdict to implement these measures. The NMC is required to report on the actions taken by June 10.

Assessments and Legal Matters

Senior Counsel Surendra Kumar Mishra informed the court that the Central Water and Power Research Centre, Pune, had been tasked with conducting a hydraulic assessment test of the Ambazari dam. Meanwhile, Tushar Mandlekar, representing the petitioners, highlighted that the Ambazari dam’s heritage status subjects the garden and lake to the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017. He cited a report from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, suggesting the expansion of Nag River to 21 meters to mitigate water accumulation.

In response, the NMC stated that MahaMetro and Nagpur Improvement Trust were assigned the widening of Nag River to 18 meters along its entire 17-kilometer stretch. The court requested AG Saraf to address Mandlekar’s contention that the collector had requested ₹856 crore from the government for the cleaning and rejuvenation of three rivers — Nag, Pora, and Pili — before the monsoon.

The HC’s directive to relocate the Vivekananda statue (Vivekananda Memorial) underscores the importance of adhering to regulations concerning water bodies and heritage structures. It highlights the necessity of proactive measures to address environmental concerns and uphold legal standards. The NMC’s compliance with the court’s orders and its efforts towards remedial actions will play a crucial role in mitigating potential risks and preserving natural resources.

1. Why was the Vivekananda statue ordered to be relocated? The relocation was ordered due to violations of state irrigation department rules regarding construction near water bodies.
2. What measures did the court instruct the NMC to take? The NMC was directed to implement temporary remedial measures to control water spillage before the onset of the monsoon season.
3. Who conducted the hydraulic assessment of the Ambazari dam? The Central Water and Power Research Centre, Pune, was appointed to conduct the assessment.
4. What is the significance of the Ambazari dam’s heritage status? It subjects the surrounding areas, including the garden and lake, to specific regulations outlined in the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017.
5. What action has been taken to widen the Nag River? MahaMetro and Nagpur Improvement Trust have been assigned the task of widening Nag River to 18 meters along its entire 17-kilometer stretch.