World Bank rider on BRTS loan

8220;The PMC has been, in principle, approved Rs 160 crore for the NMT project. The World Bank has asked the PMC to include, in its proposal seeking funds, the participation of people by seeking their opinion,8221; a civic officer said. The idea seems to be to avoid citizens8217; opposition later, he said. 8220;There would be no obstacles in the execution if citizens are convinced. Therefore, the World Bank condition is welcome.8221; The civic administration has already sought the standing committee8217;s approval for funding the promotional campaign. 8220;The proposal for public outreach program for BRTS was earlier turned down by the standing committee. It will be now re-tabled as it is a must for reaching out to and convincing the public,8221; he said.

Meanwhile, the Union government expressed happiness over the execution of the projects. 8220;We are regularly reviewing it. The progress is satisfactory,8221; M Ramachandran, Union Urban Development Secretary, told The Indian Express on Sunday. He added that performance of BRTS in other cities will not have any impact on the Pune BRTS.

Ranjit Gadgil, programme director of Janwani, an NGO, said that unfortunately the PMC was not paying attention to citizens8217; opinion while pushing for projects. 8220;It is only after activists, including me, urged the World Bank, that it made it public opinion compulsory,8221; he said, adding that seeking public consent before execution of any project was normal practice. 8220;PMC should do the same.8221;

Sujit Patwardhan, member of Pune Traffic and Transport Forum PTTF, said public outreach was mandatory for the success of any project. 8220;The civic administration had sought funds from the standing committee for public outreach of BRTS in Pune, but it was turned down,8221; he said. Corporators representing the public do not allow an awareness campaign, while they complain about execution, he added.