Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan (Tai) met with Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav at her residence on Tuesday after the mayor received a letter from her. In the letter, Tai clarified that she had written it in a very casual manner and there was no bitterness in her message. During their meeting, the two discussed in detail the 'Bharat Van' project and other developmental issues concerning the city.
Mayor Bhargav assured Tai that he was working under her guidance and that her suggestions regarding the metro project were being followed. On Monday, Sumitra Mahajan had written a letter to the Mayor, requesting a discussion about the city's development. She had also mentioned that if the Mayor was unavailable, she would personally visit. Tai specifically brought up the 'Bharat Van' project, stating that while planting trees and creating forests was commendable, any decision regarding the project should be made only after consulting with environmental experts and experienced citizens.
Earlier, Tai had expressed her views regarding the metro project several times. Last month, she had written a letter to the Mayor, suggesting that an underground metro route be planned through Subhash Marg instead of MG Road. She argued that MG Road, with its dense population and historically significant buildings, could be harmed. She proposed an alternative route that could pass through Press Colony, Palasia, 56 Shops, Race Course Road, Rajkumar Bridge, and then proceed to VIP Road and Aerodrome.
Three years ago, Sumitra Mahajan had also written to the then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, raising concerns about the proposed underground metro station near Rajwada. Her objections led to the station being shifted to the old SP office area in Sadar Bazaar. As the political debate over the underground metro route resurges, Tai's letter has once again become a topic of discussion. Political analysts believe that it highlights how senior leaders and experts' advice is still being overlooked in the city’s major planning decisions.