Bombay High Court asks BMC to ready for Mahaparinirvan Diwas

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state government to form a committee to recommend solutions to tackle overcrowding and sanitation during Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, on December 6. The BMC and state government were also asked to find an alternate site to house lakhs of followers who throng Shivaji Park for the event. A division bench of justices VM Kanade and Nutan Sardessai asked the committee to include a representative from the Wecom Trust, and a member from the Buddhist Society. The court passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the Trust objecting to the corporation taking over Shivaji Park grounds from November 22, which extends beyond the prescribed days allowed for use.

The corporation informed the court that around eight lakh people will be visiting Chaitya Bhoomi starting December 6, and facilities have to be provided in advance. Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, appearing for an intervener, said one witnesses large crowds during the event, and that the space allotted in Indu Mills is a sacred place and cannot be used for housing and other purposes. The court refused to grant an order on the plea filed by the Trust, and directed the petition to be heard by January 18, when the civic body needs to file its compliance report with regard to setting up the committee.