PUNE: The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), started as a pilot project from Katraj to Hadapsar in 2006, was a major civic poll issue in 2007. Ahead of next year’s civic polls, the BRTS is making a comeback among political parties, following the recent announcement of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration that the BRTS will be implemented on 27 more roads.
After the project was started, the Shiv Sena, BJP, NCP, had taken on the Congress for “hushing up” the launch. There was a lot of criticism after a series of accidents.
Now, the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS are opposing the NCP-Congress ruling alliance in the corporation for giving the nod for the proposal to start BRTS on 27 routes.
The decision to start more BRTS routes was also not well received by several NCP-Congress corporators as they feel it has given the opposition ammunition against the ruling alliance ahead of the civic polls.
The Shiv Sena on Thursday carried out a public opinion drive and claimed that 90 per cent of the 50,000 citizens who registered their opinion opposed BRTS on more roads.
“The public opinion is against the BRTS and it should be respected by the civic body. The NCP-Congress is trying to push the project despite opposition from the public,” said Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena legislator in charge of party affairs in the city.
The Sena initiative has come later than BJP’s signature campaign against implementation of the BRTS. “Public sentiment has to be taken into consideration. If the ruling alliance does not withdraw the decision, then it will surely become election issue,” said BJP leader Mukta Tilak.
Fearing it may dent their election prospects, elected representatives of the Congress and NCP are opposing BRTS in their respected areas. “There is opposition to BRTS from residents of our area. We have to take their stand and will not allow its implementation,” said Prasanna Jagtap, Congress leader and deputy mayor.
He said the opposition to the move is justified as the Sinhagad Road through his ward is not wide enough. “The roads are too narrow and need to be widened if BRTS has to be implemented. It is not possible to have BRTS in the existing situation,” Jagtap said adding the NCP corporators from the area have also opposed the BRTS.
During her visit to the city recently, NCP MP from Baramati, Supriya Sule, said, “Some people have opposed BRTS and some have extended support. Hence it is necessary to hold discussions with citizens on the issue.” Part of the PMC area falls in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.
After the project was started, the Shiv Sena, BJP, NCP, had taken on the Congress for “hushing up” the launch. There was a lot of criticism after a series of accidents.
Now, the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS are opposing the NCP-Congress ruling alliance in the corporation for giving the nod for the proposal to start BRTS on 27 routes.
The decision to start more BRTS routes was also not well received by several NCP-Congress corporators as they feel it has given the opposition ammunition against the ruling alliance ahead of the civic polls.
The Shiv Sena on Thursday carried out a public opinion drive and claimed that 90 per cent of the 50,000 citizens who registered their opinion opposed BRTS on more roads.
“The public opinion is against the BRTS and it should be respected by the civic body. The NCP-Congress is trying to push the project despite opposition from the public,” said Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena legislator in charge of party affairs in the city.
The Sena initiative has come later than BJP’s signature campaign against implementation of the BRTS. “Public sentiment has to be taken into consideration. If the ruling alliance does not withdraw the decision, then it will surely become election issue,” said BJP leader Mukta Tilak.
Fearing it may dent their election prospects, elected representatives of the Congress and NCP are opposing BRTS in their respected areas. “There is opposition to BRTS from residents of our area. We have to take their stand and will not allow its implementation,” said Prasanna Jagtap, Congress leader and deputy mayor.
He said the opposition to the move is justified as the Sinhagad Road through his ward is not wide enough. “The roads are too narrow and need to be widened if BRTS has to be implemented. It is not possible to have BRTS in the existing situation,” Jagtap said adding the NCP corporators from the area have also opposed the BRTS.
During her visit to the city recently, NCP MP from Baramati, Supriya Sule, said, “Some people have opposed BRTS and some have extended support. Hence it is necessary to hold discussions with citizens on the issue.” Part of the PMC area falls in Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.
Source : Indian Express, Pune
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