With the crucial Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections just days away, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled a comprehensive manifesto packed with populist measures aimed at women, senior citizens, and economically weaker sections. The manifesto, released on Wednesday, promises significant concessions in public transport fares and property taxes, alongside ambitious infrastructure projects for the city.
Key Populist Promises: Transport & Tax Relief
The manifesto, presented by Union Minister and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, along with state minister Chandrakant Patil and other party leaders, continues the Mahayuti alliance's focus on women-centric schemes. It pledges a concession in fares for women travelling on both the Pune Metro rail and the city's PMPML bus services.
In a major announcement for senior citizens, Mohol declared that citizens above 75 years of age will travel for free on all PMPML buses. This move is seen as a direct outreach to a key voter demographic.
On the taxation front, the BJP has promised a complete exemption in property tax for residential properties under 500 square feet owned by economically weaker sections. Furthermore, the party has committed to continuing the existing 40 per cent discount on property tax for all residential properties in the city for the next five years.
Infrastructure & Development Vision
Looking beyond immediate sops, the manifesto outlines a robust plan for Pune's urban development. A key promise is the extension of the Pune Metro line from Khadakwasla to Kharadi, stretching it further to the Pune airport in Lohegaon. The party also plans to develop 120 km of new public transport routes in the next five years and improve last-mile connectivity.
To tackle the city's perennial traffic woes, the BJP has proposed an ambitious 54-km network of underground roads across Pune, dubbed the 'Patal Lok' initiative. Mohol acknowledged that mega projects like the metro, road development, and sewage treatment require massive funding, which will be sought from both the state and central governments.
The party also introduced a separate Green City Vision for Pune to combat rising air and water pollution. This plan involves strict implementation of mitigation measures and a focus on conserving the green cover on hills and along riverbanks.
Other Major Pledges and Political Context
The BJP's manifesto includes a wide array of other promises designed to appeal to various sections of society. Notable among them are:
- Annual free medical check-ups for all citizens above 30 years.
- Efforts to establish an AIIMS hospital in Pune.
- Developing Pune as a 'Lake City' and a 'World Book Capital'.
- Building a convention centre similar to Delhi's Bharat Mandapam.
- A capital investment plan of Rs 44,000 crore for basic civic amenities.
- Action against illegal hoardings and clearing footpaths of encroachments.
The manifesto release comes ahead of the voting for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including PMC, scheduled for January 15. The results will be declared the following day. The BJP, which held power in the PMC from 2017 to 2022 with around 100 corporators, is now contesting all 165 seats. The party has already secured two seats uncontested after rivals withdrew.
This manifesto builds upon existing state government schemes like the 50% bus concession for women and the Ladki Bahin Yojana's monthly stipend, positioning the BJP's civic agenda as an extension of its governance model.
