BJP bid to allot spaces for Metro-3 foiled

Shiv Sena and other parties foiled yet another attempt of the BJP-led state government to push a proposal to allot city spaces for the Mumbai Metro-III project. The proposal was defeated by a heavy margin of 98-26 in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House, with all parties except the BJP voting against it.

The proposal to hand over 7,796 square metres of land spread across 17 different city locations on a permanent basis for the Metro-III project was tabled in the civic general body meeting on Tuesday. While the BMC had already turned down the proposal once, it was once again tabled in the House with the state urban development department asking the civic body to intimate its decision within 15 days. However, there was a heated debate on the issue. BJP was left isolated as all parties opposed the proposal, saying it would affect and displace about 450 families in Girgaum.

The rejection of the proposal is a big blow for the BJP, which is keen on expediting the Metro project. However, there is a catch in this issue. Despite the BMC’s denial, the state government can still take over the spaces under the Section 520 (c) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, which empowers the government to acquire land if the project is in public interest. The Sena has threatened to start a public agitation if the state government goes ahead with the project.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), which is implementing the project, has demanded 17 plots from the civic body for building the 33.5-km-long Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro-III line, which has 27 stations.

Opposition leader Pravin Chheda, who is from the Congress, said, “The proposal is a violation of the BMC’s rights. The civic body will face a loss of Rs 287 crore by allotting these spaces to the state government.”

Senior Sena corporator Sunil Prabhu said that no thought had been given for the rehabilitation of project-affected people in the proposal. “We are not against the Metro project. But locals themselves are opposing it. Shiv Sena will oppose the proposal, as it will destroy local residents. The state government should ensure their proper rehabilitation,” he said

On the other hand, BJP group leader Manoj Kotak sought to dispel these fears, saying the Metro project would help reduce traffic, fuel and Mumbaikars’ travel time. “The Opposition is only political in nature. The project is beneficial as it would help people reach several parts of the city,” he said.