Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday took a sharp dig at the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) poll promise of free travel on Pune's public transport, calling for election manifestos to contain only "believable" and "plausible" promises. His comments came a day after NCP chief Ajit Pawar, while releasing a joint manifesto, assured free rides on Pune Metro and PMPML buses for all commuters.
Questioning the Feasibility of Populist Promises
Speaking in a public interview conducted by actor Girija Oak, Fadnavis used a sarcastic analogy to underscore his point. "This morning, I thought of making an announcement that women travelling on all flights operating out of Pune will be given free tickets. But is it feasible?" he questioned. The Deputy Chief Minister stated that making announcements costs nothing, but implementing them is a different matter. He suggested that parties with minimal chances of winning often resort to desperate promises in their manifestos.
Fadnavis also addressed the ongoing verbal sparring between Ajit Pawar and BJP leaders on the campaign trail. Emphasizing coalition ethics, he said, "Coalition dharma should be followed." He revealed an agreement among alliance partners to avoid criticizing each other in constituencies with friendly fights, expressing disappointment that Pawar seemed to have lost patience. "He will not speak (this way) after Jan 15," Fadnavis asserted, hinting at post-poll discipline.
Furthermore, the BJP leader expressed skepticism about the newfound alliance between the two NCP factions led by cousins Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule. "I do not know whether the cousins have really come together and are giving me credit for it. We will find out only after Jan 15," he remarked. In a lighter vein, he added that he was happier being the reason for uniting MNS's Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Uddhav Thackeray.
Blueprint for Pune's Future: Tunnels, Roads, and Water
Shifting focus to governance and development, Fadnavis detailed an ambitious infrastructure plan to solve Pune's chronic traffic woes. The centerpiece is the proposed 'Patal Lok' – a massive network of underground tunnels. "Around 54km-long tunnels will be built at a cost of Rs 32,000 crore for seamless travel from one part of the city to another," he announced.
This project will be complemented by the ongoing construction of outer and inner ring roads, along with future flyovers. He also revealed plans for a Global Capability Centre corridor between Pune and Navi Mumbai, aimed at boosting economic growth. Criticizing past infrastructure projects, Fadnavis claimed some flyovers were built without proper thought, but assured that his government's proposals are "very futuristic."
Tackling Water Scarcity and Environmental Planning
The Chief Minister did not shy away from Pune's pressing issues of water scarcity and environmental management. He acknowledged that rising migration is increasing water demand, necessitating the search for a new water source for the city. On the environmental front, he stated that detailed planning for land under Biodiversity Parks is underway.
Adding a cultural dimension to urban planning, Fadnavis proposed a novel idea. "Additionally, a cultural action plan on the lines of a climate action plan should be drafted in Pune to better manage cultural activities and infrastructure," he said, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to the city's development.
Fadnavis's comprehensive address, thus, framed a clear contrast between what he termed as unrealistic poll promises and his administration's concrete, albeit costly, plans for Pune's transformation.
