Before model code,NCP looks at some mega projects

First on the agenda is the Swargate flyover pending for long,he said,adding,“I have taken up the issue with the state government ministry concerned. We want to lay the foundation stone of the project as soon as possible.”

Rajpal is optimistic as the flyover is to be constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) headed by an NCP minister (Public Works Department,Public Undertakings,Jaydatta Kshirsagar).

He said the project could be carried out through deferred payment as done in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC),also ruled by NCP though on its own.

The Pune mayor stated that he would urge the state government to approve the development plan of 23 merged villages,pending with the Urban Development ministry headed by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. Some corporators,however,feel that if the development plan is approved,credit would be claimed by the present alliance partner in the PMC,Congress,as Chavan is a Congress leader.

The saffron combine is trying to make sure the ruling parties do not take sole credit for development projects. Recently,BJP legislators Girish Bapat and Madhuri Misal registered a protest over not been invited to meetings to discuss the Swargate flyover.

“There is no worthy achievement the NCP can highlight in the civic polls as it has been unable to launch any mega project. Now they are going all out to get a few projects started before the election code comes into force,” said a BJP leader.

Just ahead of the previous civic polls in 2007,the Congress had launched the BRTS in a hurry but could not retain its position of single largest party in the PMC and the NCP had emerged as leading party,he said.

NCP elected representatives too are pushing for projects in their own wards. Shrikant Patil,corporator from Bopodi,is trying to raise money for a training institute for MPSC examination in his ward. Anil Bhosale’s plans of a skywalk in his ward,however,was shot down.