Vadodara: Morning walkers led by Congress members on Wednesday said that the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has dropped the project for the construction of a massive torch-shaped monument in Sayajibaug. Former Congress city unit president Narendra Ravat, who led the agitation, said the civic body conveyed its decision to them on Tuesday evening.Municipal commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu, however, said they are yet to take an official decision. “We will take a final decision on Thursday and convey it,” Babu told TOI.Ravat said, “We got a call from the VMC officials who assured us that the project to build the structure in Sayajibaug has been called off. They now plan to build it somewhere else. It’s a victory for every Barodian who wants to retain the beauty of Sayajibaug.” Morning walkers gathered at the park on Wednesday to celebrate the decision.“VMC has a lot of land. It can build the monument anywhere it wants. Why damage one of the largest gardens in the city and take away the open spaces used by people for recreation. Sayajibaug is one of the few open green spaces left in the rapidly urbanising city,” said Ami Ravat, former councillor. She also urged the VMC to remove all the concrete poured at the site in the garden.“VMC itself was flouting the rule which says no construction is allowed in the vicinity of a heritage structure. The monument was planned near the historic Baroda Museum and Picture Art Gallery building,” Ami Ravat added.“VMC also removed one of the “solar trees” installed in the lawns near the White House. We objected to it as such structures pose risk to visitors and take up open space. We are not against the solar project as it provides clean energy. But the civic body can install solar panels on its buildings or other spaces instead of in gardens,” Narendra Ravat said.Vijay Wadhwani, a morning walker, said, “It’s heartening to see that after the protests the VMC officials backed down and decided to shift the project outside Sayajibaug. The park is one of the last remaining open spaces for the public and its sanctity should be maintained.”
