http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/mayawati-to-inaugurate-685-crore-noida-memorial-park-today-141006
Mayawati to inaugurate 685-crore Noida memorial park today
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: October 14, 2011 12:50 IST
New Delhi: At Rs. 685 crore, it is an expensive dream. But Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has pulled out all stops to ensure
that it becomes a grand reality and at 5 pm today she will arrive by
helicopter to inaugurate the Rashtriya Dalit Smarak in Noida and a
stone's throw from Delhi, the seat of power. To make it a smooth
affair, 2,500 policemen have been stationed.
The memorial is meant to honour Dalit icons and has over two dozen
huge statues of Mayawati, her mentor Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar,
among others. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief will first cut a
ribbon and then is expected to address about 40,000 party workers. A
special helipad has been set up at the Apeejay School ground in
Noida's Film City for the CM's helicopter to land and take off.
The Noida administration, out to impress "Behenji," has left no stone
unturned for a grand opening of the park. High-tech LED lights and
fountains are in place and a special security force will permanently
guard the memorial.
The administration expects between 50,000 to 70,000 people from across
UP to gather and the arrangements are massive. There are a total 2,500
policemen stationed at two locations. This includes nine Provincial
Armed Constabulary (PAC) companies, 175 traffic policemen, 50 women
cops, 1050 police constables, 184 sub-inspectors, 25 Station House
Officers (SHO), 15 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and seven
Additional SPs.
Then there are anti-sabotage units, bomb disposal squads, NSG teams,
local intelligence units, and the members of the CM's security. Fire
services have been stationed.
But Noida residents might not share Behenji's proud smile. Traffic
woes have already begun with huge jams being reported. Traffic is
being diverted at several places ahead of the inauguration - including
at the Film City crossing and Mahamaya flyover. More traffic
diversions have been announced between 3pm and 7pm. (Traffic mess in
Noida, read police advisory here)
Noida saw long traffic jams throughout the day yesterday too with
several important stretches partly blocked to allow last-minute
renovation work.
Residents in fact have had Mayawati's memorial park is built on a land
that initially housed a public park. When work first began on
Mayawati's dream memorial in 2008, Noida residents were upset as they
were denied access to the park. Then, over 6000 trees were cut.
Angry residents moved the Supreme Court. An initial enquiry ordered by
the Environment Ministry found several environmental violations. And
the fact that the memorial was coming up close to the Okhla Bird
Sanctuary further complicated matters. But in December last year, the
Supreme Court cleared the project with a rider - not more than 25
percent of the total 84 acres could be paved, the rest would have to
be planted with trees.
Several other appeals in court have challenged Mayawati's decision to
use taxpayers' money to fund her mega memorials. Many of those remain
unsettled. Accusing Mayawati of having a feudal mindset, Opposition
parties have alleged that she has spent crores of rupees of public
money for installing statues of her family members. "After statues of
Dalit icons like Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram have been set up at several
places, Mayawati is out to install statues of her parents," Congress
spokesman Subodh Srivastava said.
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