Infra, environment, Metro: Key areas that find mention in Pune BJP, Congress manifestos

The constituency was without an elected representative in Lok Sabha for over a year following the death of sitting MP Girish Bapat. There was no byelection for the seat and absence of MP to follow-up on the development projects had slowed down the work.

Both Mohol and Dhangekar have released their manifesto with more or less the same promises aimed at the development of city and improving the life of citizens. Interestingly, both the candidates have offered to expand the Metro rail service and increase the number of buses. A new international airport for Pune finds place on the priority list of Mohol and Dhangekar.

“I will constitute a think tank of experts for the city and regularly interact with them on development issues of city. My office will be open round the clock for the service of citizens,” says Mohol, who was also city mayor.

Mohol, while ensuring to give a push to ongoing development infrastructure projects, promises to create 150-km-long network for Metro rail along with steps to increase last mile connectivity through it. He has also given thrust for the proposed international airport in Purandar.

The BJP candidate said that he would work for improving public transport system by getting funds from union government to run 3,000 electric buses in the city and focus on fulfilling the target for housing for urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

“Every drop of water being released in river will be treated to check water pollution. I will try hard to make Pune cleanest city in the country,” he mentions, adding that the poor in need of medical facilities will be helped through MP Help Desk at Sasson General Hospital.

Environment protection also figures in Mohol’s manifesto, as he says steps will be taken to conserve the hills and green cover in the city and strike a balance between development and environment protection.

If elected to Lok Sabha, Mohol claims to take efforts to set up a satellite centre of IIT Mumbai in the city and work towards bringing more industries in the city so as to open employment opportunities to youths.

Developing multi-level parking facility in the city and safe footpaths for pedestrians are also among his priorities. “I will work for setting up IIT and IIM institutes in the city for providing quality education,” Mohol asserts.

Environment protection is also the highlight of Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar who plans to develop a biodiversity park in vacant government land across the city. He also has plans to promote environment friendly measures for solid waste management, solar energy and rainwater harvesting.

“I will try to get in more industries in the city to provide employment opportunities to youths. Sports complex would be set up in all four directions of city to encourage sports culture,” he says.

There will be efforts to tackle the increasing air pollution in the city and extending Metro rail service to Pune airport, Dhangekar says.