12 February,2011 06:26 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
A senior Maratha leader's name has cropped up with regard to alleged violations exposed by an RTI activist, which may pose a threat to spectators' lives in case of an emergency
A SENIOR NCP leader's name has cropped up in connection with alleged violations in the redevelopment of the Wankhede Stadium ahead of the cricket World Cup.
The violations came to light after scrutiny of BMC's final papers on the venue, prepared on October 10, 2008.
u00a0
IPS officer-turned lawyer Y P Singh says that 21 metres of open space should have been maintained as the height of the stadium is increased from 16 metres to 29 metres. The lack of that open space is a violation of the law and poses a risk to the lives of innocent spectators during an emergency
RTI activist Amit Maru then filed a PIL in the case before the Bombay High Court in 2009, seeking restraint on the stadium's redevelopment.
Maru had contended in the PIL, in which BCCI was made a party, that the BMC had granted permission foru00a0 redevelopment without appropriate CRZ clearances from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y P Singh, who is representing Maru in the case, said, "There have been 48 violations in the redevelopment of the stadium (see box).
u00a0
The guidelines laid out by the National Building Code of India have been violated. As per the norms, sufficient exit points should be available inside the stadium for evacuation within two minutes of any emergency.
However, while the redevelopment plan of the stadium shows four access roads for this purpose, only one road exists."
According to Maru, the BMC's internal report said, "The stadium redevelopment proposal was discussed in a joint meeting held under the chairmanship of the then chief minister on December 23, 2007, at Sahyadri guest house, where the NCP leader in question and other union ministers from the state were also present."
According to Y P Singh, the NCP leader, who also held a prominent post in the BCCI, should have ensured that 21 metres of open space was maintained in the stadium since its height was being increased from 16 metres to 29 metres.
The lack of that open space is a violation of the law and poses a risk to the lives of innocent spectators during an emergency. The decision to have zero open space was taken in that meeting.
Maru has written a letter to Environment Secretary Valsa Nair Singh on Tuesday (copy with this paper) highlighting various violations.
Singh said that if the violations are proved, they may press corruption charges against the politicos involved if they are found to have favoured a private entity.
Violations
PLAN: Disaster Management Plan and Evacuation Plan shall be implemented effectively.
FACT: Since the four emergency access roads are not in place, no such plan can be implemented.
PLAN: No commercial activity will be carried out within the CRZ Area.
FACT: Commercial activity of thousands of crores is being done in the IPL Headquarters situated in the stadium compound. Several other commercial offices have also been setup within the stadium premises.
PLAN: Parking provisions will be made for 3,370 cars 330 within the stadium, 1,000 at the university ground, 40 at the Hockey Association ground and 2,000 on roads and footpaths
FACT: No such parking of 3,370 cars provided.
The Other Side
NCP spokesperson Madan Bafna rubbished allegations of the involvement of any NCP leader. "The party has nothing to say on the issue. The matter is before the court, let the court decide," he said.
Meanwhile, in response to the allegations that environmental norms were flouted for renovating the stadium, ICC president and NCP chief Sharad Pawar told the press in Kolhapur yesterday, "Some people can only make allegations. They can't do any constructive work"
