Vadodara: For one of the accused in the Harni pond boating tragedy, Gopal Shah, it has been a roller coaster of a ride for two decades. From being shown the door by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to being lauded for his role in prestigious projects as an urban planner and now an accused in the Harni Lake tragedy.
Shah has had a series of prestigious projects to his credit as an urban planner.He played a crucial role in several key projects and is believed to be a planning expert.
Controversies are not new to Shah who has been facing them since he was a town planner in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). Shah had joined the civic body as a town development officer on probation in 1999. He rose in the ranks and was made the officiating town planner in 2004, again on a probation.
The municipal commissioner in Dec 2004 recommended that his services should be confirmed from Jan 2005. Even as this was pending, Shah ended up in a controversy over a draft town planning scheme which was opposed by some politicians. In wake of the row, his confirmation was turned down by VMC’s general board and his services were terminated by the board.
Shah fought a prolonged legal battle against the decision in the Gujarat high court. The HC ruled in his favour in 2019. Since Shah would have retired in 2018 and his reinstatement was not possible, the court ordered that the VMC pay him all the monetary consequences.
Shah started consultancy services and bagged some prestigious projects. His involvement with the Harni Lake project was not widely known till the boat tragedy that claimed 14 lives.
The details of the partnership firm Kotiya Projects revealed that he was amongst the partners and he was made an accused in the case. It might be another long-drawn legal battle for him.
We also published the following articles recently
Shah has had a series of prestigious projects to his credit as an urban planner.He played a crucial role in several key projects and is believed to be a planning expert.
Controversies are not new to Shah who has been facing them since he was a town planner in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). Shah had joined the civic body as a town development officer on probation in 1999. He rose in the ranks and was made the officiating town planner in 2004, again on a probation.
The municipal commissioner in Dec 2004 recommended that his services should be confirmed from Jan 2005. Even as this was pending, Shah ended up in a controversy over a draft town planning scheme which was opposed by some politicians. In wake of the row, his confirmation was turned down by VMC’s general board and his services were terminated by the board.
Shah fought a prolonged legal battle against the decision in the Gujarat high court. The HC ruled in his favour in 2019. Since Shah would have retired in 2018 and his reinstatement was not possible, the court ordered that the VMC pay him all the monetary consequences.
Shah started consultancy services and bagged some prestigious projects. His involvement with the Harni Lake project was not widely known till the boat tragedy that claimed 14 lives.
The details of the partnership firm Kotiya Projects revealed that he was amongst the partners and he was made an accused in the case. It might be another long-drawn legal battle for him.
We also published the following articles recently
Harni boat tragedy: 2 more named in FIR
Two more people, including the owner of the sub-contracted company, were named in the FIR by Vadodara police investigating the tragic capsize at Harni Lake. Nilesh Jain, owner of the sub-contracted firm, and Dolphin Entertainment and Amusement Park Pvt Ltd were booked. Police have obtained relevant papers and issued a lookout circular for the absconding accused.
Two more people, including the owner of the sub-contracted company, were named in the FIR by Vadodara police investigating the tragic capsize at Harni Lake. Nilesh Jain, owner of the sub-contracted firm, and Dolphin Entertainment and Amusement Park Pvt Ltd were booked. Police have obtained relevant papers and issued a lookout circular for the absconding accused.
Harni boat tragedy: Deceased boy’s father moves SC
The father of a child who died in the Harni Lake boat capsize tragedy moved the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored investigation. The petitioner seeks prosecution of officials, compensation for families, and a thorough probe by an independent agency.
The father of a child who died in the Harni Lake boat capsize tragedy moved the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored investigation. The petitioner seeks prosecution of officials, compensation for families, and a thorough probe by an independent agency.
VMC wakes up to need for safety
The VMC formed a committee to inspect the safety of its important installations and places of recreation operated by contractors under a PPP mode. The committee will examine facilities like sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, pumping stations, Ajwa reservoir, swimming pools, solid waste disposal plants, amusement parks, and other recreational activities.
The VMC formed a committee to inspect the safety of its important installations and places of recreation operated by contractors under a PPP mode. The committee will examine facilities like sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, pumping stations, Ajwa reservoir, swimming pools, solid waste disposal plants, amusement parks, and other recreational activities.