As the polling schedule in the district concluded on Monday, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is looking to start work on delayed projects.
PMC has decided to seek permission from the Election Commission of India (EC) to clear the work of pending projects that were stuck owing to the model code of conduct.
Naval Kishore Ram, Pune district collector said, “The model code of conduct would be relaxed only on May 27, however, until then the respective governing agencies can seek permission from the EC to clear the pending work of big infrastructure development projects that are being delayed.”
According to Ram, the work related to such projects can only begin provided the EC grants permission. He said, “We can only write to the EC seeking permission, however, considering the importance of the project, it will take the final decision.”
Sunil Kamble, chairman PMC standing committee said, “From May 2, we will begin the scrutiny of all the major projects, the work of which was stuck due to the model code of conduct. There were a few projects which were in its final stages, however, they could not be pursued further as elections were declared on March 10.”
According to Ram, while the governing agencies can seek for the permissions from EC, the ministers in the government are however not allowed to meet the district collector till the time the model code of conduct is completely relaxed.
{{/usCountry}}According to Ram, while the governing agencies can seek for the permissions from EC, the ministers in the government are however not allowed to meet the district collector till the time the model code of conduct is completely relaxed.
{{/usCountry}}Projects such as high capacity mass transit route (HCMTR), river rejuvenation and induction of 400 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) fleet were delayed as the administrative process for the same could not be completed before March 10.
Not only the PMC, two important projects undertaken by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) also faced delay because of the model code of conduct . According to PMRDA officials, some developmental works of Mhalunge Maan town planning scheme, along with construction of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which is based on the public-private partnership model, will be delayed as the administrative process is still not over.