Political parties divided,sing different tunes

The BJP,however,instantly welcomed CM’s announcement,calling it belated,but a welcome move which was in the interest of the merged villages. BJP’s city unit president Vikas Matkari said the party had been demanding four-eight per cent construction,but would now won’t mind four per cent construction. “Since the government is taking its own time to decide the issue,the 23 villages are suffering badly as amenities are not been provided there in the absence of a development plan,” Matkari said. The BJP says if construction is allowed on the hills,it would be up to the builder to ensure that he plants specific number of trees on the hills. “This way,you can protect the hills and stop the slums from coming,” he said.

Even the NCP,which is in alliance with the Congress in the PMC,has remained undecided on the issue. It’s city unit president Vandana Chavan,an environmentalist to the core,has been in the fore front of the agitation against allowing any sort of construction on the hills. In contrast,other corporators including the ones in the merged villages are in favour of allowing construction. In fact,a delegation of the corporatos cuting across party lines have met both the CM and the deputy CM urging them to allow constructions on the hills. The CM and deputy CM have now said they are looking for a vilable solution. On the other hand,the Congress which too was not in favour of allowing construction has kept mum on the issue after CM’s announcement. “We will abide by CM’s decision,” said city unit chief Abhay Chhajed.

Activist Vijay Kumbhar said since political parties are looking in different directions on the issue,the villages will be adversely affected. “Whether on Pune metro or BDP,early decisions are necessary; otherwisethe city will suffer.