VMC scraps laser fountain project at Sayaji Garden

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation on Monday decided to cancel the proposed multi-crore multimedia laser fountain at Sayaji Garden following opposition from local residents. The move came a day after M S University Chancellor and member of erstwhile Gaekwad royal family Mrunalini Devi Puar extended her support to the agitators.

"The municipal commissioner (Ashwini Kumar) has decided to cancel the project from its present site in Sayaji Garden in the face of public opposition. The decision has been taken in view of a lot of misconception among public and the media about the project," deputy municipal commissioner R K Sugoor said at a press conference this evening.

"Since this is a decision taken by the executive wing of the civic body, we will approach the political wing on the issue after Assembly elections get over. Before taking the final decision on the project, we shall consult all the stake-holders," Sugoor added.

He said they have not yet decided on any alternative location for the Rs 15-crore project which was to be executed on the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Following the decision, Cube Construction Engineering Limited, a Vadodara-based construction company which had been awarded the project and tried to started work in a corner of the garden, removed fencing and other material from the site later in the evening.

A group of Barodians, who regularly visit Sayaji Garden, had raised voice of protest as work on the fountain project began early this month. They claimed the project would harm the environment and beauty of the biggest public garden of the city.

Mayor Jyoti Pandya had ordered suspension of work on the project on November 6 after some members of the agitating group agreed to call off their protests and allow the fountain at other location in the garden, popularly known as Kamati Baug.

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