Pune: Shiv Sena corporator Pramod Nana Bhangire alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to push the 300-ft wide Katraj-Kondhva Road project merely because some people in the ruling party want to syphon off funds from the project. There is no adequate provision of funds for land acquisition for the project. With current provision, only 180 sq feet of road is possible.
As per the 1981 Regional Plan for Pune city, the proposed road is of 84 metres width and the total length of the road is 12 km. In PMC's Development Plan (DP) this road has been shown 60-metre wide which has 12-metre service roads on both sides.
Cycle track and footpath have been proposed on both sides of the road. The tender that was called for the project was caught in a controversy and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered its cancellation. Later, a new tender was invited for the project.
"The estimated cost of the project is Rs 215 crore. Shiv Sena corporator Bala Oswal demanded that three tenders be issued. But due to the influence of BJP MLA Yogesh Tilekar, a single tender was issued by the civic body. At the end of the deadline for submission of tenders, two tenders were received. So the civic body gave an extension for submission of tenders. At the end of the extension, the tenders were opened. After scrutiny by CV Kand Consultant, only four contractors were found eligible.
Contractor of Patel Engineering has submitted a bid of Rs 176 crore which is 17 per cent less than the estimated cost," he said.
Rs 80 crore is required for land acquisition and the civic body is in touch with 195 property holders for the same. These include 36 permanent structures and 78 shades. In the current budget of the civic body, there is a provision of Rs 25 crore. "If this road had been planned 120 feet wide, then Rs 60 crore would be required. But since the 300-ft wide road has been planned, there is no possibility to complete this work on time due to lack of funds. But political leadership is pushing this project for pocketing the funds in the name of sanctioning this big project.
The BJP which came to power claiming transparency is indulging in such practices. So their stand on transparency has been exposed," claimed Bhangire.
