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.