HC slams officials over Ambazari dam risk, seeks decision on shifting Vivekananda statue

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday criticised authorities for allegedly prioritising preservation of Swami Vivekananda statue over essential public safety measures at Ambazari dam.A division bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi directed Nagpur divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari to convene a high-powered committee meeting within a week to decide on relocating the statue, suggesting the vacant Crazy Castle premises, owned by MahaMetro, as a potential site. The matter will next be heard on May 2.The directive came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Ramgopal Bachuka and others through counsel Tushar Mandlekar. Officials including Bidari, district collector Vipin Itankar, and Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari were present and submitted their affidavits in compliance with HC's previous orders.Quoting the irrigation department affidavit, the judges noted that the statue, situated near the Ambazari dam overflow point, emerged as a major obstacle to the installation of critical escape gates required to regulate water release and prevent urban flooding. They expressed concern over the authorities' shifting positions, observing that plans were revised repeatedly — first citing non-participation in tenders, then altering the design and location — seemingly to avoid moving the statue.Reading from the case records in court, the bench recalled that even contractors earlier refused to take up the work, warning of potential damage to the statue. The court questioned the logic of redesigning the dam infrastructure instead of addressing the statue's obstruction, describing the approach as misplaced and calling out what it termed "blunders" by civic officials.In a pointed remark, the bench verbally questioned whether the authorities would consider "relocating the dam to protect the statue," echoing an earlier sarcastic comment by the petitioner's lawyer.Irri dept, NMC failed to inform panel on tender issues: BidariNagpur divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari informed the HC that the irrigation department and NMC failed to communicate key developments regarding the tender process for Ambazari dam escape gate project to the high-powered committee (HPC).In her affidavit, she acknowledged lapses in inter-departmental communication. She stated that while regular HPC meetings were being held under her supervision — including a March 6 session where the irrigation department was directed to expedite the tender and complete the work before June 15 — neither agency reported the need for revised administrative approval after previous tenders failed to attract adequate bids.The affidavit mentioned that only one bid was received, with the technical evaluation conducted on March 24. The financial bid is scheduled to be opened on April 25. Revised administrative approval of Rs6.6 crore was granted by NMC on April 23, she added. Bidari also confirmed that the irrigation department, now led by superintendent engineer Sonali Chopade, has been instructed to issue the work order by April 30.As a precautionary measure, NMC will continue lake dewatering and groove cutting on the ancillary spillway during the monsoon to maintain adequate buffer capacity. Bidari assured the court that dam strengthening works were completed and committed to improved coordination and oversight in future.(Inputs from Mugdha Bele, Gunishka Jain, Litishka Jagdeo & Shravani Wankhede)