Citizen groups seek bigger role in planning process

“It is a matter of allowing us to plan our own homes and neighbourhoods. BMC had proposed to involve citizens but has backtracked. We do not think after all the effort put into ELU,the corporation can draw up a plan in such a short span of time. Our demands must be taken into account,” said Pankaj Joshi,executive director,UDRI.

Civic officials,however,say their hands are tied as the contract given to a consultant for drawing up the plan is about to expire.

“The contract expires by July,after which we will have to bear extra charges for additional time taken over the plan. We are working on the plan and have considered all aspects,” said a senior civic official.