Centre questions plan for elevated walkway at Chaityabhoomi

Now,on the ground that the proposed construction is on the seaward side of a CRZ-I area,the Ministry has asked the MSCZMA to reexamine the proposal. The MCZMA had proposed an elevated walkway projecting into the sea and running parallel to the coast. “The existing 110-metre pathway leading to the stupa is only 10 metres wide,” said city engineer L S Vatkar. Under the proposal sent to the Ministry,it was suggested the width be extended with the help of cantilevers.”

“The construction had been proposed as every year hordes of people visit the site and the narrow pathway creates problem when the crowds are very large,” an official said. The Ministry has told the MSCZMA the proposed construction will also obstruct the approach to the beach. “The proposed construction is only for short functions to accommodate visitors for which elaborate temporary arrangements can be made,” the letter says.

“It seems that the Ministry has not properly understood what is being proposed. The parallel pathway will in no way obstruct water in and out of the beach,” said a senior official. “The proposal is to put columns and construct a cantilever walkway which in no way will obstruct anything.”

The Ministry has,however,given clearance for the construction of a retaining wall around Chaityabhoomi. This year in April,three years after the first phase was carried out,the MCZMA had sought environmental clearance for Phases II and III. Every year on December 6,the death anniversary of Ambedkar,over 5 lakh Dalits from all over the country converge at Shivaji Park. Thousands arrive on Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14,too.

The project,whose total cost is estimated at around Rs 37.4 crore,is being executed by the BMC with aid from the state government.