Bagul, Jha end strife, set the pace for development projects

Bagul has accepted the administration’s demand to “temporarily postpone” the capital intensive projects while the municipal chief has agreed to accelerate the other public works suggested by the committee in the current years budget.

“Public works pertaining to water supply, roads, drainage, sanitation and slums will be given top priority,” Bagul said adding that the capital intensive projects will be launched after the civic body mops up the requisite revenue.

Congress party chief Chandrakant Chhajed and Bagul refused to admit that they have bowed down before the administration by accepting to postpone the capital intensive projects, majority of which were suggested by the party in its civic election manifesto. Jha and Bagul restricted themselves from spelling out the projects that have been postponed.

“We are just temporarily suspending the projects. They have not been cancelled,” said Bagul when the scribes sought to know whether the projects like the sports complex at Aundh, sports hostel at the Baburao Sanas sports ground, Industrial Training Institute (ITI) have been thus indirectly omitted from the agenda of the civic budget.

“The investment in these projects was of Rs 7 to Rs 10 crore. The standing committee has sought for the details of the arrears and deposits of the civic body. Also, the civic administration has launched a special drive to collect octroi and property and water tax dues. If it is noticed that the corporation is in a sound financial position, these projects will be implemented forthwith. Currently, we are just suspending them so as to divert the revenue for the urgent civic works like water and roads,” Bagul said.y