Road work stalled,citizens blame Army stand

Joining the debate,citizens feel the Army should set aside monetary considerations when land is sought for public projects for an expanding city like Pune. A retired air force personnel was of the view that such land should be given free. Another retired army man felt the Army should take full payment,as civic bodies were losing credibility.

A R Satyanarayanan,a retired income tax officer,said,“Public interest should be priority…” Army should keep land idle only if it has any specific expansion plan,he said and added: “Otherwise,there is no point in keeping land idle when an expanding city needs it for roads and bridges,” he said.

Talks between the PCMC and the Army was the need of the hour,he said,a view seconded by Prashant Inamdar of Pedestrians First. “For the city,it is important the two sides talk,” said Inamdar.

He advocated standard procedures for hassle-free land transfer. “If it is for a public project like BRTS,it should get priority. If it is for residential purposes,it should get lowest priority,” he said.

“The project should get priority if land is on the periphery of Army territory,as in the case in Dapodi. Such projects should be fast-tracked by establishing standard procedures,” he said adding that cost factor was important. “The Army should not demand high rates if the land is for a public project. When a civic body like PCMC implements a project,it is in the interest of the city and people. Why should commercial rates be applied? Cost and time-frame are aspects the Army should look into,” he said.

Civic officials said the Army wanted Rs 154 crore for land at various places where PCMC has planned public projects. “We have paid Rs 18 crore for land between Aundh and Ravet. We have not received land worth even Re 1,” said Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma. He said the PCMC was ready to talk. “We will pay every paise we have committed to the Army. There is no going back on that. But we need land to complete projects,” he said.

Mayor Yogesh Behl said the Army stand had hit development projects in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

D G Baliga,a retired air force personnel,said the Army,by demanding money,was showing itself in poor light. “Years back,the Army got land from civilians and the government at a pittance. Over 30-40 years ago,one of my close friends sold land to the Army at 25 paise sq feet. And now they want crores for it,” he said.

Baliga said,“Army is supposed to protect the nation’s land and not press for money for land for a public cause. It should transfer land for public projects free.”

Presenting an opposite view,Major Gen (Retd) SCN Jatar said no land should be transferred unless full payment is made. “Civic bodies have lost credibility. They take land for public purposes. Everybody knows where the land goes. Unless and until PCMC pays the full amount,the Army should not transfer land.”