turned into a fortress on Wednesday, with lakhs of people visiting Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorial on his 61st death anniversary.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao were among those who visited the memorial to pay tribute to Dr. Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Mr. Fadnavis said that work on the Ambedkar memorial at Indu Mills will begin in a month’s time.
Mumbai Police, Mumbai Traffic Police and State Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed around Chaityabhoomi. Traffic was diverted to ensure effective crowd and traffic management, but the alternative routes remained congested.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had set up ambulances, generators, mobile toilets, and food, water and medical facilities to ensure the visitors’ comfort. BEST ran special buses between Dadar and Shivaji Park, an official said, and stalls to provide free snacks were also put up.
Light, flowers and prayers: (Above) Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and (left) followers of Dr. Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi on Wednesday.
But many people remained unaware of the arrangements.
Amol Ghopragade, a visitor from Yavatmal said, “The BMC has practically done nothing. There are no civic officials around to help us. Nobody has visited the site in the last two days. The rain has made this place a mess. Without assistance from the BMC, how are people supposed to know about the facilities set up?”
Rain lashing the city on Monday and Tuesday made life difficult for those camped out in Shivaji Park. A pandal set up by the BMC fell on Tuesday night, injuring three people.
Dilip Maruti Valve from Gadchiroli said, “I came on Tuesday night, but spent the night in the railway station.”
Thr BMC had also directed visitors to the 70 municipal schools opened for accommodation. However, the facilities were not adequate, visitors complained.
Chandrakant Duble from Chandrapur said, “These schools don’t have water, enough toilets, and even people to serve food. A lot of people have left without visiting Chaitya Bhoomi.”
Tributes were also offered to Dr. Ambedkar at Mantralaya and Vidhan Bhavan.
