Kolhapur: Hundreds of residents and shop owners from Pandharpur’s Vitthal Rukhmini temple hit the streets of the temple town, marching to oppose chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ’ ambitious temple corridor development plan of Rs3,990 crore on Wed.
Rahul Shinde Naik, councilor of Pandharpur Municipal Council said, “There is no opposition to the development of Pandharpur city. The protesters, who carried placards and raised slogans opposing the corridor development plan, said that Pandharpur’s people do not need the project. The CM has repeatedly said that the project is for the safety of Warkaris during auspicious occasions, claiming that businesses will benefit from the project.
However, while carrying out development, it is essential to respect the sentiments of local citizens, and clearly explain the proposed plan with its implications. So far, from the CM to the sub-divisional officer and the chief officer, we have only heard assurances that everyone will be taken into confidence. He added that the administration must understand the concerns and problems of those who will be affected by the project. “Only after taking local citizens and affected people into confidence should the project be implemented. Otherwise, it will attract opposition from affected citizens and elected representatives as well. The authorities have hinted that the land acquisition work will start in coming weeks. They handed over the petition of demands to mayor Pranita Bhalke and chief officer, Mahesh Rokade, demanding that the council pass a resolution, and reject the state govt’s plan to convey the residents’ sentiments.