Six months after G20, Pune civic body to spend leftover funds for road development
The Centre and the Maharashtra government had allocated Rs 200 crore to develop civic infrastructure for hosting G20 meetings.
Seven agencies had applied to take up the infrastructure development but only one qualified for it. (Express photo by Jaipal Singh) Six months after it hosted the last G20 meeting, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) continues to use funds allocated for the purpose for development activities in the city. It has undertaken work of around Rs 6.5 crore for improving Nagar Road.
In a proposal tabled in the standing committee, the PMC has sought approval to repair footpaths, tar roads and paint the Nagar Road stretch from Parnkutti Chowk to Waholi using the funds provided in view of the G20 meetings.
“The Union and state governments together allocated Rs 200 crore to the PMC for taking up infrastructure development and beautification work for hosting G20 meetings in the city. The civic body could not spend the entire amount, so it sought government approval to spend the money till the end of the financial year. It was only after the government approval that the infrastructure work was taken up,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Vikas Dhakane.
“The Rs 6.5 crore work for development of Nagar Road has been taken up as it is on the list of the priority stretches selected by the PMC, considering it is most frequently used for movements of dignitaries,” he added.
Seven agencies had applied to take up the infrastructure development but only one qualified for it.
There were three G20 meetings in Pune last year—on infrastructure, education and the digital economy. The PMC had repaired and beautified the roads from where the movement of dignitaries of various countries was planned. The road, electrical, garden and heritage departments were given the majority of the infrastructure development work.
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