Team Herald
CURCHOREM: The Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) has decided to open its newly constructed controversial gymnasium at Carriamoddi, Curchorem.
In a resolution passed by 9 to 6, councillors decided to throw open the Air conditioned Gymnasium Fitness Centre and Multipurpose hall constructed by the municipality in the Carriamoddi ward by spending around Rs.76.50 lakh from the municipal grants. The councillors also formed a special committee with Chief Officer or municipal engineer as its ex-officio member for the purpose of maintenance of the gymnasium.
The group of six opposed the resolution stating that the gymnasium is built illegally in the plot without the approval of Town and Country Planning department (TCP).
“The gymnasium was built in the survey no.14/1 by attaching the approved plan in survey no.13/2 which exists in some other place,” claimed councillor and former chairperson Hodarkar and asked how the municipality can say it is an open space without the approval of TCP.
The one-storey building was constructed in an open space and latest gymnasium equipment including air conditioners were installed on the ground floor by spending Rs 25 lakh. It was inaugurated last October by local MLA and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral in the presence of then CCMC chairperson Balkrishna (Pinty) Hodarkar.
Denying the allegations, Cabral who attended the meeting said, “The small room and the compound wall for the plot where the gym is built now was constructed 20 years back by the municipality and no owner has objected to it saying that it is not an open space. And also the building was inaugurated last year in his presence as chairperson of the municipality and now he is claiming it is illegal,” said Cabral.
