Citizens raise the pitch for removal of NIT skating rink

By Kshitij Udar

NAGPUR Improvement Trust’s (NIT) international standard skating rink at Daga Layout and Corporation Colony, was a centre of attraction for citizens till a few years ago. Today, however, the same skating rink has become a sort of threat to the citizens. The rink was constructed on a 99.49x42.07 metre area over the Naag River at a cost of around Rs 3 crore in 2001. This carelessly constructed rink was a major cause for the recent floods that brought so much destruction. The rink restricted the flow of excess water into the Naag river during the floods and the water gushed into the nearby residential areas. Poor maintenance of the rink in the past few years, encroachments, and illegal parking over is the main reason residential areas were flooded. The residents of these areas, who were the worst sufferers, are now up in arms against this skating rink which, they allege, is illegal in the first place.

A delegation of the flood-affected citizens met Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis a few days ago, and presented their demand to get the sakting rink over the Naag River removed. Fadnavis assured to take appropriate steps to fulfill their demand. He instructed officials concerned to stop the tendering process for repair work of the rink. Mahendra Chandak, a member of the delegation, who has been the resident of Daga Layout for 62 years, told ‘The Hitavada’, “The skating rink was constructed by erecting pillars in the Naag River. The pillars obstructed the flow of the river due to which the flood water entered into Daga Layout and Corporation Colony.” It has been around 20 days since the flooding, but the victims are still recovering from the disaster. The floods caused a lot of trouble and are still waiting for the compensation. “We want the illegal construction over the water body removed with immediate effect,” said Chandak. “I have been a resident of this colony for the past six decades. I have never seen such a disaster. There are many other reasons why we want this rink to be shut,” Chandak added.

Illegal activity going on around the premises of the rink is also a matter of concern. “We apporched the civic body many times demanding action against these illegal activities, but nothing has happened to date,” Chandak said. On Thursday, the delegation also met Manojkumar Suryawanshi, Chairman, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and handed over a memorandum of their demand urging closure of the rink at the earliest. Girish Shelokar, who lives just in front of the rink, said that the authorities are least bothered about the trouble of the dwellers, who are now fed-up of these illegal activities. “Before 2001, there was a ground near Naag River. The rink was constructed over that ground. The parking lot of the rink came over Naag River a few years ago,” the resident reminisced. “For the past 20 years, ever since the ground was converted into the rink, it has been a huge trouble. We knocked the doors of NIT as well as NMC, but no one heard our voice. But, now we want the administration to restore our ground, so we are going to do our best to get this rink closed, as this rink has now become a threat to us residents,” he said. Sandeep Raut, Divisional Officer, Nagpur West, said, “A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed recently in the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court by the residents and a delegation also met the NIT chairman. The fate of the rink is now in the hands of the High Court as the legal battle is going on.” The Court has ordered a closure of the rink for the next 20 days.

Meanwhile, Nikhilesh Tabhane, city’s international-level skater, is unhappy with the protest that is going on for the closure of the rink even for 20 days. “Twenty days is a huge gap for any player. If regular practice stops, it is very

difficult for any player to gain the momentum again. This is between the residents and the administration and due

to this, players should not suffer. Residents have a right to put up their point, but there is no sense in restricting the skaters from practising,” said Tabhane. Upendra Verma, Secretary of Nagpur District Roller Skating Association (NDRSA) said, “It is very shocking that this international standard rink, which is a popular place for skaters in the city, is facing this kind of situation. Authorities are not looking into the matter and now, due to the pathetic condition of this world-class rink, the residents also want to close it. It will affect the skaters.” “Many times, we have asked the administration to hand over the rink to NDRSA, but we did not get any positive response,” Verma added.