Sachin Ahir is new guardian minister

The minister of state for urban development, Sachin Ahir, has been appointed as the new guardian minister of Pune district. Ahir has received a letter of appointment and said he would visit Pune frequently to ensure overall development of the city.

Ahir was at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi to attend the two-day convention of party’s state unit. Speaking to media persons, he said traffic congestion was a major problem in Pune and he would give highest priority to the issue.

Ahir said Pune was growing continuously and as a minister for urban development, he would make efforts to provide low-cost housing in Pune. He said as he was based in Mumbai, he can make frequent visits to Pune and he would try to bring a sense of traffic discipline in Pune.

The guardian minister’s post was vacant since deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had resigned from the state cabinet. There was a speculation in political circles that minister for tribal development Babanrao Pachpute, minister for higher education Rajesh Tope and minister for rural development Jayant Patil were in the race for the post.