Public outcry over redevelopment of Crawford Market has started influencing the political parties that had supported the proposal at first.
Offers to reopen controversial proposal; calls Sena-BJP leaders ‘dangerous vultures’
Public outcry over redevelopment of Crawford Market by a private firm has started influencing the political parties that had supported the proposal at first. The corporation had approved the proposal September 11.
After having backed the controversial proposal for two weeks, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has done a turnaround and has offered to reopen the proposal, terming it as ‘a criminal waste of public funds’. The proposal allows M/s East and West Developers to demolish the 11 existing structures at the market and construct vertically using a floor-space-index of 4.
SP leader and nominated member of BMC’s general body, Mohsin Haider declared that party’s corporator from Jogeshwari ward, Sayyed Barjina Abbas will reopen the proposal. “Redevelopment by a private firm will lead to a loss of at least Rs1,200 crore to the corporation,” said Haider.
As per rules, the proposal can be reopened after a lapse of three months. Abbas, who was absent when the proposal was passed, can reopen the proposal for discussion after December 11. When questioned why the party did not object to the proposal initially, Haider said, “Most of our corporators are new. They did not know what was happening then. We are trying to make amends.”
Haider, taking potshots at the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP combine, said, “The corporation has being looted by vultures who present themselves as white-collar bandits.” Interestingly, it was Shiv Sena that had nominated Haider, who had lost in civic elections, to the corporation.
Abbas has requested Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak to maintain status quo on the issue and not implement the resolution until she reopens the proposal. Haider has also written to CM Vilasrao Deshmukh asking him to stall redevelopment.
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