Heritage committee clears Sadbhavna Daud, Ravan Dahan at Kasturchand Park with riders

Time of India

2 days ago

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Nagpur: The Heritage Conservation Committee, chaired by former divisional commissioner Anoop Kumar, on Wednesday, gave conditional clearance for organising Sadbhavna Daud and Ravan Dahan at the iconic Kasturchand Park, a Grade-I heritage site under govt ownership.
While granting no-objection certificates (NOCs) to both Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Daud Organising Committee and Sanatan Dharma Yuvak Sabha, the panel attached a key rider — the organisers must secure separate approvals from the district collectorate and the state public works department (PWD) before proceeding.
Besides this, the Sabha was asked to ensure lesser use of firecrackers, member secretary and NMC chief engineer Manoj Talewar told TOI after attending the meeting.
Sadbhavna Daud will be organised on August 20, the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The organising committee has sought 2000 sq mtr of land in Kasturchand Park for the event. The Ravan Dahan will be organised on October 2, 2025.
The meeting, which reviewed 10 proposals concerning city heritage sites, also took up multiple requests from Central Railway, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, PWD, and INTACH Nagpur chapter for redevelopment, conservation, and public events at heritage-listed premises.
The committee discussed at length Central Railway's request for restoration and redevelopment work at Nagpur Railway Station, a Grade-I heritage structure. The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) sought permission through two separate letters dated May 16 and June 9.
A second proposal for hosting a centenary celebration at the station on July 28 — including a heritage gallery and a photo exhibition — was also examined and allowed in principle.
INTACH Nagpur chapter's proposal to document three heritage sites — Munshi Mandir, Sonegaon Lake, and Kashibai Temple Complex — was forwarded to the civic chief, as the committee said it fell outside its purview. INTACH sought Rs1.5 lakh funding and offered to begin work upon receiving 50% of the amount.
In another major case, the committee reviewed NMC's request to carry out structural work on the newly built Town Hall at Raj Rajeshwar Bhosale Mahal, a heritage structure.
The panel asked for detailed architectural and material-use plans before clearing the work.
Similarly, proposals for building a new structure within the govt Institute of Forensic Science premises and for putting up information boards at Zero Mile monument were also reviewed. In the case of Zero Mile, the panel approved the concept but sought updates on its current development status.
A structural audit inspection was also allowed at the Accountant General's Office, with a panel expert to visit the site.
The meeting underscored the need to protect heritage values while accommodating public utility and cultural activities.