Vaibhav Ganjapure & Ranjit Deshmukh, TNN, Oct 17, 2010
NAGPUR: It's a clear case of brazen violation and the state PWD seems to be sleeping. The CP and Berar School at Ravi Nagar, one of the oldest institutions, has illegally encroached upon space reserved for a road.
The space between the school and the government-run District Institute of Education and Training ( DIET) was used by commuters as a 'kaccha road'. It was blocked by the school authorities a few years back with a temporary fencing. Now, the school has constructed a concrete wall on the temple road side.
The school has also erected a tin compound on the other side to prevent traffic.
Ironically, the land belongs to PWD but shockingly, officers who are at the helm of affairs don't even know that it has been encroached upon. If this is not enough, the school has set up a botanical garden 'Harit Gruh' on the illegally occupied land which is also being used by students to park cycles and vehicles.
PWD officials are simply turning a blind eye. They are already under the scanner for their alleged involvement in the massive Rs 119.54 crore scam regarding renovation of the CM and deputy CM's bungalows and Ravi Bhavan.
Replying to an RTI query, the school's headmaster lied. He said the school has not closed the road in question. However, pictures with TOI clearly show that a wall has been constructed to prevent entry. A botanical laboratory has also been erected. The RTI application was filed by social activist Chetan Gurve.
Due to blocking of the road, residents have to use the long route. "The school has cheated even the government. It has submitted false information under the RTI Act. Due to closing of the road, there is huge rush on the other road. There is also a risk of accidents," said Gurve.
"We've been facing a lot of problems as the school illegally closed the kachcha road about a decade ago," Namdeo Pagare, a resident of PWD quarters just behind the school, said. "We regularly used that road as it provided easy access to the temple road. But the school, along with a social organisation, first planted trees on the spot and then erected a fencing to cover up the illegal activity. After some years, a compound wall came up," the veteran teacher added.
Newly-appointed principal V V Deshpande defended the decision. He said the road was closed to keep anti-social elements at bay. On the illegally-constructed botanical laboratory, she said the school had received many prizes for it, including one from the government. "The residents still use the road," she asserted.
PWD chief engineer for Nagpur region, Dilip Potdukhe pleaded ignorance. "I will ask my subordinates to check. I am not aware of any such development," he said.
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