Ajoy Mehta defends blanket permission for transport projects

BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has defended Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to give blanket permission to the state government for the implementation of transports projects saying that it has been taken as per the Metro Railways Act.

The BMC, in its revised draft Development Plan (DP) 2034, has given blanket permission to the government to implement its transport projects in the city. In the chapter ‘special provisions’ in the draft DP, the civic body has said that any modifications in the Mass Rapid Transport System will be automatically amended on the DP. It will be also be applicable to new transport projects.

“Any modification in alignment introduced in Metro/Mono/elevated corridors/corridors of mass rapid transport system, including BRTS, by the appropriate authority and sanctioned by the government shall stand automatically amended on the Development Plan as modified. Furthermore, any new transport corridor, including BRTS, proposed by appropriate authority and sanctioned by the government, will be automatically added to Development Plan,” read the DP. It means that the projects can be implemented without taking into account public opinion.

The Shiv Sena has, however, strongly objected to the clause saying that the BMC chief is trying to curtail the rights of the civic body and corporators.

Refuting the allegation, Mr Mehta cited the provisions of Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act 1978 to support his move.

He said the Act states that for any route change to be enacted in mass rapid transport system projects, there is no need to take municipal corporation’s permission. “As we are not violating the Act so there is no violation of corporators’ rights,” he said.