Deputy chief minister and leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar on Saturday justified the about turn by his party on the proposed metro railway project and bio-diversity
park (BDP).
Pawar was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event in the city. He indirectly expressed unhappiness about chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who on Monday had declared in the city that 4% construction would be allowed in the BDP.
He said, “I had told the chief minister that citizens in Pune have different opinions about allowing construction in BDP. Hence, opinions of all groups should be taken into account before declaring a decision about it.’’
He said that people are suffering due to elevated metro railway projects in Bangalore and Mumbai. Although the expenditure for underground metro is three times that of elevated metro, it is more beneficial in the long run.
Accoring to Pawar, the NCP had initially supported the elevated metro railway project in the city in view of the expenditure. But considering the experience of citizens where elevated metro railway is built, NCP felt that there should be a correction in the stand. Work on the project has not even started in the city. “What is wrong in correcting the mistake?’’ Pawar asked.
Indicating opposition to allow construction in the BDP, he said that the NCP had never taken a stand about allowing construction. The party is of the opinion that hills around the city are its pride and they should remain green.
He said that funds can be raised with the help of central government, state government and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the proposed BDP. Money can be raised also by providing transferable development rights (TDR) and floor space index (FSI) in other areas.
He challenged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde to prove that he has partnership with city builders.
