The Times of India           16.11.2013

Civic body to name road after Bal Thackeray

AURANGABAD:
The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is all set to pass a
resolution on naming the Kranti Chowk – Railway Station Road after the
late Shiv Sena supremo’s Bal Thackeray at its general body meeting on November 19.

Shushil Khedkar, the Shiv Sena group leader in AMC
on Friday said Thackeray had always loved and admired the city and
therefore, there is a demand to name the city’s first concrete road
after him. However, about 12 to 14 months back, the general body had
decided to name the road as Dr Bhapkar Marg in honour of the then
municipal commissioner Purushottam Bhapkar.

During his tenure,
Bhapkar had aggressively implemented road widening works in the city and
gained popularity. He was instrumental in clearing illegal
encroachments on several roads besides acquiring legal lands coming in
the way of roads. Due to his contribution, the general body had
unanimously passed the resolution and office-bearers had started calling
the road – Dr Bhapkar Marg.

However, on Friday the previous
resolution was cancelled. “According to the rules, any resolution stands
nullified if it is not implemented within three months. We do not have
to initiate the cancellation process,” Khedkar said.

It is a
part of the activities planned to mark the first death anniversary of
the leader on November 17. “Besides, naming the road, the civic body
will unveil a portrait of Balasaheb in the central hall and carry out
beautification at Amarpreet Hotel Chowk on Jalna Road,” Khedkar said.

Majority of the corporators including those in opposition party had
also extended their support, added Khedkar. “Soon after approving the
proposal in AMC, we will send it to the state government for its green
signal,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gajnan Barwal, NDA leader in AMC
said there was no attempt to downplay Bhapkar’s contribution in the
development of the city. “People of Aurangabad would always remember his
contribution in improving various civic amenities,” he said.

The civic body is building the 2.5-km Kranti Chowk to Railway Station
Road under two different heads. A major portion of it is being built
under special funding through Thirteenth Finance Commission
while the rest AMC is spending money under deferred payment system. The
work started since February 2013 but the project has been delayed due
to several hurdles.