PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation finds itself in a corner as citizens opposed the civic body’s move to change the rules for implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). As many as 230 citizens on Tuesday registered their protest while 37 placed their suggestions for implementation of BRTS at a public hearing presided by Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma. They said new norms, if implemented, would deprive PCMC of Rs 3,700 crore.
The public hearing was held in view of the resolution pushed through by NCP corporators, led by Mayor Yogesh Behl and standing committee chairman Prashant Shitole, last month, setting new rules for BRTS implementation. The PCMC had invited suggestions and objections from citizens before forwarding the resolution for government approval.
Last year, Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma had brought forth a proposal suggesting that PCMC should double the FSI (from one to two) for constructions that would come up along the 12 BRTS routes stretching to about 114 kilometres in the industrial town.
The developers were to be charged different rates, that is, Rs 300/sq ft in A zone, Rs 600/sq ft in B zone, Rs 900/sq ft in C zone and Rs 1,200/sq ft in D zone. The Sharma administration argued that it would help PCMC earn crores in revenue. However, at last month’s general body meeting, corporators — egged on by Behl and Shitole — pushed through a proposal for charging 25 per cent of ready reckoner rates instead of the rates suggested. The move to change norms sparked allegations that the NCP-ruled civic body was favouring builders. The public hearing on Tuesday saw heated arguments as citizens urged the administration to shun the resolution.
Sarang Kamtekar, a resident of Indrayani Nagar, said PCMC would earn Rs 5,000 crore revenue since double FSI meant more constructions would come up. “The rate of an average Rs 600 per sq ft for new constructions would bring in revenue of Rs 5,000 crore as there would 8.5 crore sq ft land available for construction. If the Ready Reckoner rates are applied, civic body will be hit hard,” he said.
All this is being done, alleged MP Babar, to favour the builders’ community. “I will be forced to take up the matter in Parliament if the PCMC went ahead with the plan,” he said after the hearing. Along with Babar, several Sena leaders also recorded their protests.
Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma said “When I moved the proposal, nobody supported it. Now they realise its importance.” He refused to say anything against corporators.
The public hearing was held in view of the resolution pushed through by NCP corporators, led by Mayor Yogesh Behl and standing committee chairman Prashant Shitole, last month, setting new rules for BRTS implementation. The PCMC had invited suggestions and objections from citizens before forwarding the resolution for government approval.
Last year, Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma had brought forth a proposal suggesting that PCMC should double the FSI (from one to two) for constructions that would come up along the 12 BRTS routes stretching to about 114 kilometres in the industrial town.
The developers were to be charged different rates, that is, Rs 300/sq ft in A zone, Rs 600/sq ft in B zone, Rs 900/sq ft in C zone and Rs 1,200/sq ft in D zone. The Sharma administration argued that it would help PCMC earn crores in revenue. However, at last month’s general body meeting, corporators — egged on by Behl and Shitole — pushed through a proposal for charging 25 per cent of ready reckoner rates instead of the rates suggested. The move to change norms sparked allegations that the NCP-ruled civic body was favouring builders. The public hearing on Tuesday saw heated arguments as citizens urged the administration to shun the resolution.
Sarang Kamtekar, a resident of Indrayani Nagar, said PCMC would earn Rs 5,000 crore revenue since double FSI meant more constructions would come up. “The rate of an average Rs 600 per sq ft for new constructions would bring in revenue of Rs 5,000 crore as there would 8.5 crore sq ft land available for construction. If the Ready Reckoner rates are applied, civic body will be hit hard,” he said.
All this is being done, alleged MP Babar, to favour the builders’ community. “I will be forced to take up the matter in Parliament if the PCMC went ahead with the plan,” he said after the hearing. Along with Babar, several Sena leaders also recorded their protests.
Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma said “When I moved the proposal, nobody supported it. Now they realise its importance.” He refused to say anything against corporators.
SOURCE: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pcmc-stares-at-loss-of-rs-3-700-cr/744862/0
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