Sena, BJP pin hopes on state nod

Civic chief gives presentation to CM in Nagpur, says order to overule NCP’s decision will come soon

CBD BELAPUR: After the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) rejected the proposal for the Rs8,000- crore smart city project, the state government is looking at ways to overrule the move.

Although the NCP rejected the proposal at the general body meeting of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the opposition approached the state to keep the city in the race for the Centre’s project.

On Friday, the opposition said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has given a virtual green nod to the project and a formal order is expected soon.

The opposition said the chief minister, whom they met in Nagpur on Friday during the ongoing assembly session, has assured them that Navi Mumbai will continue to be in the race for the smart city project.

Municipal commissioner Dinesh Waghmare, who was in Nagpur, has confirmed that he gave a presentation to the state on the proposal. He said an order was expected soon.

A delegation of Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde, BJP Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre and Shiv Sena’s opposition leader in NMMC Vijay Chougule

too met Fadnavis and requested him to take immediate action on the issue.

“The CM said Navi Mumbai will become a smart city and the government will ensure it,” said Mhatre. “The state has the right under Section 450 of

the Municipal Act to overrule the decision of the general body meeting.”

“NCP leader Ajit Pawar was present when the chief minister said he will ensure that Navi Mumbai becomes a smart city,” said Chougule.

He said, “The chief minister has said the city that does not support the project, will not get government funds.”

“A letter is being prepared by the chief secretary to be issued to the municipal commissioner. It will state that Navi Mumbai qualifies for smart city,” said Chougule.

Political observers said the order will be a major setback for former minister Ganesh Naik, who had vowed to oppose the project.

While t he NCP said t he opposition’s allegations were baseless, Choughule said, “The efforts and aspirations of the people of the city will not go waste.”

Almost 5 lakh residents of the city had given suggestions for the project.

HT FILE Wednesday’s rally saw students, residents and politicians coming together to root for smart city project.