Underground Metro only if Pune wants it,says CM

“The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) report has been approved for the Metro rail in Pune. The statements about pushing for underground Metro is made by responsible persons. Hence,we would see whether they are public sentiments or personal opinions while deciding on the issue,” said Chavan when asked on statements made by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on pushing for underground Metro rail across the city.

“The economic feasibility of the project should be taken into consideration as underground Metro rail would increase the expenditure by three-fold. If the PMC is prepared for it and Puneites are ready to pay higher fare for the service,then the state would think on it and implement it if it’s practically possible,” he said,adding that if the majority of the citizens still want elevated Metro rail with cheap fare then it will be implemented as per the wish of the public.

The issue of reservation for Bio Diversity Park (BDP) in the development plan is being taken in consultation with experts,Chavan said,“Any decision on Metro will be taken after studying the issue and there was no need of politicising development work. There should be no opposition for any development project merely for the sake of it”

Playing down the criticism of the deputy chief minister on the delay in approval of the development plan of 23 merged villages,Chavan said,“I was not in the state cabinet during the five-year delay of the decision,but I took up the decision in one year of my tenure. He was there in the Cabinet during the time it got delayed so he should give a clarification on it.”

Justifying the focus on public transport given in the election manifesto of Congress,Chavan said the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is a good concept and it needs to be properly implemented by removing all the glitches in the existing status of the project.

He also said the water transport system would also come out well for the city and his party would make efforts for it.