PUNE: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday called for a complete ban on plastic at the Sinhagad fort and proposed the use of PMPML e-buses for going there, after parking private vehicles at the foothill.
The forest department would allocate 10 acres of land for a parking lot. Construction of shops to sell food items and employment to residents of the area as tourist guides have also been proposed in the integrated fort development plan.
After reviewing the plan, Pawar said tenders would be floated soon and the plan should be executed at the earliest. He said the plan to ply e-vehicles of the PMPML for transporting tourists to the top of the fort.
The famous pithla bakri and curd stalls would be accommodated at one or two places after constructing the stalls following the forest department’s guidelines, he said. Besides, toilet blocks and charging points for e-vehicles would be set up. He said training would be imparted to the residents of the area so that they could work as guides.
MP Supriya Sule, present at the meeting, had visited the fort last week. She had discussed the development plan to enhance the quality of tourism with the deputy forest conservator, Rahul Patil.
The deputy CM also discussed the issues pertaining to poor roads and garbage carting system in Mann and Hinjewadi areas. A timeline of December 31 was set to construct good roads, a police station and make a proper garbage management system.
‘Many BJP corporators eager to join NCP’
After attending an event in Pimpri Chinchwad, the deputy chief minister said many BJP corporators were eager to join NCP, however, only candidates with elective merit would be given the opportunity.
Dy CM against fuel under GST
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said he was unable to attend the 45th GST Council meeting in Lucknow but those representing Maharashtra conveyed the demand that petrol and diesel should not be brought under the GST fold.
The state wanted the Centre to reduce taxes from its end to give relief to people, he said, adding that the Centre owed the state Rs29,500 crore as GST compensation.
‘Civic poll system decision pending’
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said the state government was yet to finalise if one- or two-ward system would be followed in the Pune civic elections. “The decision on the Pune elections will be taken after a meeting under the urban development minister, Eknath Shinde, as he was not present at the last meeting,” he said, adding that the greenfield Pune airport project would be executed soon.
