Mayawati project under scrutiny for ecological danger

Lucknow: The vast expanse of her memorials and parks have resulted in an equal spread of complaints and grievances. Mayawati has been taken to court over the costs of the different projects she's building, described by her as tributes to Dalit leaders, including herself. Taxpayers were funding these, till the Supreme Court stepped in late last year and suspended construction at several of these parks.

The latest charge is that one of Mayawati's projects in Lucknow could lead to an ecological disaster. The project under scrutiny is across the River Gomti from Mayawati's treasured Ambedkar Memorial.

A massive park, an open-air theatre, and an auditorium are being built at a cost of Rs 300 crore - once again, taxpayers' money.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleges that the complex encroaches upon the flood plain of the Gomti River, and that the impact of that has not been researched.

The Allahabad High Court has stopped construction near the river, and has asked the union government to send experts to inspect the river bank. A canal that drains out rain water from Lucknow has also been diverted and the court wants the experts to decide if this will cause water-logging in the city during the monsoon.

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Mayawati's government insists it not violated any laws.

But with the court order, the project - or at least parts of it - will remain in suspended animation.

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