Will hold all-party meet on closed Pimpri pipeline project, says Girish Bapat

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Addressing a press conference, Bapat said this was the first time he had held a review meeting in Pimpri-Chinchwad. “We discussed several pending issues related to Pimpri-Chinchwad,” he said. Bapat said all efforts will be made to resolve the long-pending closed pipeline project. “Only an all-party meeting would help in resolving the issue,” he said.

Bapat said issues relating to defence land will be taken up with the defence ministry. “We will hold a meeting with the ministry officials regarding issues related to defence land in Pimpri-Chinchwad. We expect ministers like Nitin Gadkari and Prakash Javadekar will remain present,” he said. Bapat said he would pursue the issue of improvement of Indrayani and Pavan river with the central government.

On the smart city issue, Bapat said there was no politics involved. “There was no politics involved in smart city plan. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had the right motive when he got the plan of the two cities clubbed together. Pimpri-Chinchwad has missed out because it failed to meet the criteria required for the purpose. But I still feel Pimpri-Chinchwad can make it if the government decides to drop one of the cities,” he said.

Bapat also directed officials to ensure that no new illegal constructions came up in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

On the metro issue, he said there was a demand that Pune Metro should be taken up to Nigdi or Gahunje. “But for now, Pune Metro will be from Ramwadi to Pimpri. In the second phase, it will be increased up to Nigdi,” said Bapat.