NAGPUR :- Yeshwant stadium free for all citizens

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Thursday categorically denied that Yeshwant Stadium was being exploited commercially while insisting that the entry into it was free for the citizens to walk and play. The assertion came through a pursis filed in the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court while hearing a petition filed by activist Madan Thool opposing parking under flyovers.

A division bench of justices VC Daga and Arun Chaudhari then adjourned the hearing until next week. PS Tidke represented the petitioner while Anand Parchure held the brief for the interveners-- Consumer Services and Research Association (CSRA). During last hearing, the court had asked the civic body to present all documents about ownership of Patwardhan ground and Yeshwant stadium.

The pursis filed by NMC sports officer Hambirao Mohite further informed that the Patwardhan ground on which Yeshwant stadium is built admeasuring 13.56 acres at Mauza Dhantoli was leased by state government to NMC on April 6, 1962, on annual rent of Re 1 for purposes of building a multipurpose stadium. On allegation by another intervenor Dhantoli Nagarik Mandal that the stadium was being exploited commercially, NMC replied that it charged nominal amount for holding sports, cultural and educational programmes for maintenance. Moreover, government's Krida Prabhodini used the stadium for its activities and students resided in its hall. Mohite further stated that they planned to erect barricades or foot path at one end of road encircling stadium.