SC clears decks for Ambedkar Park extension

New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for demolition of the three-year-old sports complex in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow for extension of the Ambedkar Park.

A bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju in their order said since the petition pending in the High Court had already been withdrawn, there was no need for stay against the demolition of the sports complex which was constructed only three years ago at the cost of about Rs 250 crores.

The apex court in its order dated April 8, had restrained the Mayawati government from raising any permanent construction in the complex but permitted the state government to continue with the renovation and repair work.

During the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime, Ambedkar Park was in a state of utter neglect.

The Park, spread over 50 acres of land, is one of the three dream projects of BSP supremo Mayawati and these projects namely B R Ambedkar Park, Rama Devi Rally sthal and Kanshi Ram Sodh Sansthan are being constructed at the cost of about Rs 1000 crores.

Ambedkar Park alone is estimated to cost about Rs 650 crores.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had granted permission to the Uttar Pradesh government to demolish government buildings adjacent to the Ambedkar Park.

The petitioner had opposed the demolition of government buildings on the grounds that it involved huge waste of public money and politicians cannot treat a state as their personal property.

The Allahbad High Court had earlier stayed the construction work at Ambedkar Park on the grounds that the state government notification changing the land use of the land was illegal.

UNI SC KD RP AS2007