The MMRDA ground at suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex awaits the arrival of Anna Hazare, who will be reaching here tomorrow for his three-day protest fast after visiting the Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi en route.
“Anna will leave Ralegan Siddhi tomorrow at 1 pm for Mumbai by road. On the way he will visit Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi at Alandi near Pune. He will later reach Mumbai and stay for the night at the State government guest house near the sea-link in Bandra,” his associate Datta Awari told PTI over phone.
The 48,000 sq mt Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) ground has a capacity to accommodate over 60,000 people. However, it will be renting out 20,000 square metres for the rally and 10,000 square metres for parking.
MMRDA has specified December 26 for pandal erection and December 30 for its removal. Team Anna has paid Rs 7.78 lakh as rent and Rs 5.29 lakh as security deposit for the rally.
Preparations for the event are in full swing. IAC sources said that at the venue, a room attached with toilet will be provided to Hazare, along with a cot and continuous supply of hot water. The Gandhian has caught cold and is convalescing at his village.
IAC volunteer N. Srinivas, an architect, will design the stage.
“There will be an invitee room for the Core Committee members and a visitors' room. There will be separate rooms for security, medical and police personnel. Ambulance services will be present round the clock.
“A team of doctors, comprising volunteers, will be present. We will have an information centre, a media room and a registration counter,” IAC coordinator Mayank Gandhi said.
Mr Hazare and key members of his team, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, are scheduled to fast with him in Mumbai, while some others will undertake the fast in Delhi.
Letter to PM
Meanwhile, ahead of Parliament debate on Lokpal Bill, Team Anna today shot off an open letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and MPs wanting enactment of “real and best possible” anti-corruption law, which should also provide for an independent investigative wing for the ombudsman.
The extended three-day session for Parliament will also start on Tuesday.