The Times of India 31.08.2012
Protests over scrapping of water scarcity zone
PUNE: The state government’s decision to throw open 332.62 hectares in the 23 merged villages of the Pune Municipal Corporation for full-fledged construction has not gone down well with citizens’ groups and environmentalists.
They have voiced their protests at the ongoing meeting where
suggestions for and objections to the changes made by the government in
the draft development plan, last December, are being heard. State town
planning deputy director Avinash Patil is hearing the groups.
Their primary concern is how the civic body will meet the water needs of
these areas once high-rises come up when the zone was recommended
because of the scarcity. Moreover, they said, the city is facing water
shortage and this time, water cuts are likely to stay till the next
monsoon.
these areas once high-rises come up when the zone was recommended
because of the scarcity. Moreover, they said, the city is facing water
shortage and this time, water cuts are likely to stay till the next
monsoon.
The state government scrapped the water scarcity
zones claiming that the situation in these localities had improved in
the last few years. “The decision will have serious consequences,” said
urban planner Anita Gokhale Benninger. She has submitted her objection
to the scrapping of the zone.
zones claiming that the situation in these localities had improved in
the last few years. “The decision will have serious consequences,” said
urban planner Anita Gokhale Benninger. She has submitted her objection
to the scrapping of the zone.
Patil said that he plans to visit
the sites. “I will verify the ground situation and make a presentation
to the state government,” he added`.
the sites. “I will verify the ground situation and make a presentation
to the state government,” he added`.
