MANOJ MORE/Pune/Indian Express - 21/11/2011
Rejecting an elevated metro he was earlier in favour of, he said projects in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi have led to environmental issues and noise pollution. He said, “Do we need a project that goes against public interest and health?”
The Pune Guardian Minister said although he had earlier supported an elevated metro, he changed his mind after realising several lacunae. “I have become aware of problems created by elevated metros. Apart from learning from other cities, I held discussions with experts and came to the conclusion that an underground metro is ideal for Pune,” he said.
If an elevated metro is taken up, the biggest hurdle would be during land acquisition, he said and added, “In an already congested city, displacing hundreds of people will unnecessarily disturb peace. For an underground rail, there is no need to displace people or acquire land. The project will take shape faster than an elevated one,” he said. Although it would require lot of money, it would be worth the investment. “If we consider the future of a growing city like Pune, we won’t regret the investment,” he said.
He said some sections of society and journalists were pushing for an elevated metro, but he was firm on his decision. “Although our party does not have the majority in the state or the civic body, we are firm on our decision,” he said.
NCP city unit chief Vandana Chavan said the party has taken the right decision. “First we thought an elevated metro would be good, but after a thorough study, we decided to pitch in for an underground metro. Our leader Ajit Pawar has made the right decision unlike some favouring an elevated metro without studying ground realities,” she said.
The underground metro has wide support among civic activists, experts, industrialists and parties like the Shiv Sena. The Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyan (PMJA) has been on the forefront of the demand for an underground metro and applauded the NCP for its stand.
The PMJA Abhiyan said underground metro was any day better than an elevated one as far as environment, safety and saving trees or historical monuments are concerned. Industrialist and PMJA member Arun Firodia said they had been rooting for an underground metro.
“An elevated metro could be vulnerable as Pune is in seismic zone four, but not an underground metro,” said Narendra Bhagwat, an expert on underground rail. Dr Ketan Gokhale, former MD, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd, has also been in favour of underground metro because of its advantages.
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