The Standing Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday instructed the civic administration to stop work on construction of a garden at the Hutatma Chowk memorial.
On Friday, Newsline reported that permission had been given to the developer of the garden, Mail Media Communication Pvt Ltd, to install advertisement boards on electric poles around the garden.
While the developer B K Agarwal had stated that permission was given for installing 70 poles, Municipal Commissioner K C Srivastava denied it.
Later on Friday, Agarwal denied having said he had permission to put up advertisement boards.
Mayor Mahadeo Deole had initiated the project, with Srivastava’s permission. Neither consulted the Mumbai Urban Heritage Heritage Conservation Committee, cleared the move to convert the parking lot at Hutatma Chowk into a garden. A 13-ft high amarjyot, intended to burn forever in memory of the martyrs’ sacrifice, was to be placed in the centre of the garden.
However, there were objections on the issue of advertising.
In the House, a point of order was raised by Colaba corporator Puran Doshi, also a member of the standing committee, demanding to know how there were contradictory statements from the developer and the civic chief. He stated that the administration’s negligence has insulted the sanctity of the memorial.
‘‘We want to know the truth. We want to look at the agreement between the developer and commissioner. We will not allow advertisements to be put up on the poles,’’ he said. He was supported by all the members of the committee.
The committee will visit the site and verify the plan and agreement. ‘‘Only then will we grant permission,” said Datta Dalvi, chairperson of the committee.
‘‘If hoardings should be allowed, there should be a discussion about the type and number,’’ said Gopal Shetty, leader of the BJP in the civic House.