Dhoni’s neighbours demand stay on his swimming pool’s construction

[ganpat1956]

Having failed to elicite a response from the Jharkhand government to their demand for a review of ace cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s building map, his neighbours at Harmu Housing Colony have now exercised their Right to Information (RTI) to seek details of his under-construction house.

In a fresh petition submitted to Chief Secretary AK Chug a couple of days ago, 17 residents of the colony have also added the demand for an "immediate stay" on the construction of a swimming pool at Dhoni’s sprawling residence.

"The pool will suck up about 4 lakh gallons of water, leaving us high and dry in the already water-stressed area. It will also pose problems to neighbours in the absence of a proper outlet system, create discord among the affected residents, especially during the rainy season and even lead to law and order problems,” they claimed in their petition.

The residents, who had petitioned the Chief Secretary about 10 days ago too, sought to know whether the aspects of technical feasibility of the pool, its drainage and the water scarcity in the area were looked into prior to approving of Dhoni’s map.

Chug, who had directed the Urban Development Department (UDD) to submit a report in this regard, could not be contacted. But, UDD Secretary RK Srivastava said, "We are issuing a letter today to the Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA), the sanctioning authority for building maps. We are seeking the facts about Dhoni’s building map and pool among others.”

RRDA vice-chairman MP Sinha said the authority had taken cognisance of the petition submitted by the aggrieved Harmu residents.
He said the authority was taking steps to analyse the aspects on technical points. Asked if the RRDA had ever analysed the prospects of the pool causing trouble to the water-stressed colony, he admitted that this aspect had not been properly looked into before the map was sanctioned.

Dhoni’s neighbours, however, sought to emphasise that they had "nothing personal" against him and the issue should not be seen in the context of his performances on field. "Apart from the pool, we have no objection to the other constructions going on in the remaining part of his plot," they said.

Dhoni’s neighbours demand stay on his swimming pool’s construction- Hindustan Times