Shiv Sena opposes Aarey Metro car shed proposal
But the project will go on as per the plan at the same plot
The politics of conflict between the leading alliance partners Shiv Sena and the BJP continues even in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Maharashtra state government on Wednesday had sent a proposal to the Improvements Committee of the BMC for changing the 33 hectares land of Aarey from no-development zone for the Mumbai Metro car shed project. This was struck down by Anant (Bala) Nar, the president of the Improvements Committee and Shiv Sena corporator.
As soon as the Aarey car shed proposal was tabled, it was rejected and it created a heated argument among the BJP corporators as they were not allowed to speak on it. It triggered a spat between both the saffron parties.
Jyoti Alwani, the BJP corporator said, "The chairman of Improvements Committee took undue advantage of his position and despite requesting repeatedly he did not allow me to speak on the issue." However, Nar countered saying that Alwani did not object at the time of tabling.
Even though the Sena for once grabbed the opportunity of rejecting the Aarey car-shed proposal brought by the state government, the project will continue at the same spot. The BJP corporators taunted the Sena corporators, saying the final decision is in the hands of the Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister.
Manoj Kotak BJP corporator has accused Sena calling it anti-development. "The Sena is against development and that is why it has not allowed a BJP corporator (Jyoti Alwani) to speak. We demand that Bala Nar should give the reason for rejecting this proposal and clarify his stance."
Kotak further clarified, "The Metro project comes under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), therefore, the state has direct right to dissolve the BMC decision."
On the other end Bala Nar insisted that Sena is not against development but the environment concern is more important. “The citizens too have objected to the thousands of trees that are being killed for this one project,” said Nar.