19 May and Metro

Yesterday's Mahacharcha on Metro turned out to be just another meeting.

As expected, none of the political leaders committed anything, except Ujwal Keskar who is unattached. It was clear yesterday from the talks of Vandanatai and Abhayji that NCP and Congress are hell bent on approving proposal for implementation on 19th May. Today's news paper reports also confirmed on this. BJP and Shivsena will support only if amendments are made. Let us see. May be 'Condiderations' of politicians are different than those of citizen.

One thing for sure. If implemented as envisaged in current DPR this project will do permanent, irrevocable damage to Pune city. Once implemented it will also be end of political career of those who supported this. (see what's happening in Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad)

We also should not expect much wisdom from current leadership. Their vision is only towards development of self and not for city. Else they would not have supported and executed all those blunders of development in recent past.

At the same time this project apparently will meet the same fate as Tram, Monorail, Skybus, etc. It has too many hurdles -

Paud phata, Deccan Gymkhana, Pataleshwar, COEP hostels, Sangam bridge, crossing of railways at two locations (near sangam and at Pune Railway Stn).

Going by the history - PMC is struggling to get permissions for widening of Shivaji nagar (Firodiya) and Station (Agakhan) ROBs for decades. Even when our beloved MP Suresh Kalmadi was railway minister he failed to get required permission. So crossing of entire station premises will be a very long battle.

Adding to this will be litigations by all those property owners from Deccan Gymkhana and JM road whose properties will be affected.

Further, finding financer will be a long struggle as This route is not expected to reach optimum ridership in its first 20 years of operation.

So be rest assured that it will be 2026 or 2031 when Metro actually becomes operative.

The after effects..

It will also lead to permanent traffic jams at least at two locations - From Juna Bazar to Maldhakka and at Paud Phata. (other places will have temporary jams lasting 2-3 hrs every morning and evening)

Silver lining will be - properties along metro route will be soon affordable to everyone. You can dream to buy an apartment in the proposed tallest building near paud phata at peanut cost. Rates of properties along Paud road, Karve Road, JM Road and Bundgarden Road will nose dive.

You and me will be too old to see this.. Our children and Grand children will curse us. So will of these politicians. Only happy will be children and grand children of our commissioners who will anyway not be in Pune.

Long live Pune.