Set up ITI instead of urban research centre at Borivli structure, says MP

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Muncipal Coporation’s (BMC) plan to set up the city’s first urban research centre in Borivli may hit a roadblock as Gopal Shetty, member of Parliament from north Mumbai, has written to the civic body demanding that the structure proposed for the centre be used for an educational institute instead.

On July 20, Hindustan Times had reported that the civic body planned to set up the research centre in a 12-storey structure at Kastur Park in Borivli (West). The structure was built by BMC on a plot earmarked for amenities. Urban planners and activists have repeatedly demanded a research centre for the city to enhance its infrastructure. However, Shetty has demanded that an Industrial Technical Institute (ITI) be set up under the Centre’s Skill India programme.

“There are several other plots where the civic body can set up the research centre. I have been proposing that an ITI be built on that plot for three years now. This will create more employment opportunities for the youth,” said Shetty.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta said, “We are looking forward to setting up the centre and for it to start as soon as possible.”

A senior civic official said, “Even if the demand to build an institute is accepted by the administration, it is not mandatory that it will be a governmentrun institute. It is likely that private entities will take over these institutes, which will defeat the whole purpose of offering courses at a subsidised cost.”

However, Shetty said, “The corporation should take a decision on whether they can run the institute or not. If they are unable to, I will run it at a much lower cost with low fees.”