Metro rail can solve city’s travel woes, says civic chief

“The public transport system should be able to meet the demand of at least 50 per cent population of the city but only 18 per cent utilise the existing system. There is a huge backlog of 32 per cent that need to be filled up,” he said.

If we consider the growing population of the city, Zagade said, it is clear that the bus service alone will not help in achiveing the objective. “While five dedicated bus lanes will be needed to accommodate the city’s passenger traffic, a single Metro rail can acheive the same. Everyone has the right to express their opinion on the project but the metro rail is the need of the day for the city,” he said adding that in public transport system, the city is well behind other cities.

The municipal commissioner also pointed out that the rising price of fuel will lead to increase in travelling charges on bus while the Metro rail service can be a cheaper mode of transport.

Zagade said the state government will conduct a public hearing to answer queries of citizens and the civic body has no role in holding separate discussions.

Earlier, NCP MP Supriya Sule said, “The Metro rail is a good public transport system, but any decision on its implementation will be taken after consultation with citizens. Development is going to be at the cost of environment as it is not possible without affecting the environment. Thus, all aspects related to environment and development should be taken into consideration.” 

Sule said she has no stand on the metro rail or the controversy surrounding it and expected that the decision will be in the interest of citizens.

The decision on the proposal of executing the project (from Vanaz in Kothrud to Kharadi on Nagar Road) will be taken during the June 23 general body meeting. The elected representatives in the civic body has agreed to listen to objections of the citizens on the project while the state government has clarified that it will not give a nod to the project without taking the opinion of citizens into consideration.

‘Joints offering hookahs will face action’
Zagade on Monday said a survey has been undertaken to figure out the eating joints providing hookah and waterpipes for smoking tobacco and action will be initiated accordingly. “The civic staff is visiting each eating joint and checking their food licence. Those functioning without proper permission will be served notices,” he said. The elected representatives in the PMC general body had come down heavily on the civic administration for failing to check illegal activities in eating joints.