Shirdi plan hits funds hurdle
15 Mar 2009, 0205 hrs IST, Yogesh Naik, TNN
MUMBAI: The Shirdi makeover plan has hit a roadblock as the
implementing agency, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC),
has not been given enough funds.
The money cleared by the government is just about enough for land
acquisition and some minor road projects, a senior MSRDC official has said. The
project will cost Rs 112 crore but the MSRDC has got only around Rs 28 crore.
The projects are to be funded from Shirdi Sansthan funds. But the
law and judiciary department, which controls the funds, has raised objections
saying the sansthan is a charitable organisation that cannot give money for
infrastructure projects.
Shirdi Sansthan chairman Jayant Sasane admitted that there were
some problems but the work would be completed by December.
A senior MSRDC official said nearly Rs 24 crore would be spent to
acquire land for road widening, gardens, skywalks and other projects. "The
funds were insufficient but they wanted us to start work. We insisted that the
government must clear funds for a few projects as Congress and NCP ministers
wanted to show that they had undertaken Shirdi's makeover. To start the
project, we are taking up two road widening projects.''
The MSRDC is planning to make money from the commercial utilisation
of five plots where they have planned malls. It is also planning a multi-layer
car park and a 6-km skywalk around the temple.Cafetarias and waiting halls will
also be built. The gardens will have amusement park-type facilities and
joyrides for children.
The MSRDC will widen around 25 km of road in and around the city.
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