Now, all parties rally for cluster development in Thane

The race to take credit for the cluster development of dilapidated building in Thane city has intensified as the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP have also jumped in the fray. On Thursday, even as the Shiv Sena staged a morcha from Thane to Azad Maidan and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray interacted with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, a Congress delegation from Thane also met the CM at Mantralaya. Interestingly, in spite of assurance from the CM, the NCP has also organised a dharna at the Thane collector office on Friday over the same issue. After the protest morcha, Mr Thackeray along with leaders Subhash Desai, MLA Eknath Shinde, etc. called on Mr Chavan at Mantralaya. While briefing the media, Mr Thackeray said, “The CM gave positive indications about resolving the issue of dilapidated buildings in Thane city and Mumbra. He also assured us that a policy for Thane would be declared within a month.” Mr Thackeray urged the CM that the issue should be resolved for the welfare of the people. Lakhs of building in Thane are declared as dangerous and very dangerous, hence the state should look at permanent solutions to solve the issue. According to Mr Shinde, the Shiv Sena opposed the forthcoming policy on cluster development that is bei-ng framed for Mumbai. He said that he had pointed out the basic differences betwe-en dangerous buildings from Mumbai and Thane. Cluster development in Mumbai will be applicable to BDD chawl and old cess buildings, which are legal but very old. Meanwhile in Thane, there are approximately one lakh dilapidated and illegal buildings. Meanwhile, a Congress delegation led by Balkris-hna Purnekar, president, Thane District city committee, met the CM on the same issue. He said, “The CM has assured us that he will visit Wagle estate, Wartak Nagar of Thane and Mumbra on October 6 before declaring the new policy.” The Thane NCP is also leaving no stone unturned in the race for credit. It has organised a dharna at the collector’s office on Friday. MLC and state working president of NCP Jitendra Awhad confirmed that they have not called off the agitation and would continue till the issue was resolved.