Ahead of the forthcoming civic polls in the State, the ruling BJP on Friday promised to introduce India’s first ‘light metro’ service in Bhopal and Indore, and to construct five lakh houses for the economically weaker sections.
The party’s manifesto for the local body elections was released by the state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan here in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and others.
The Metro will be introduced in Jabalpur and Gwalior too, for which feasibility study was underway, the Chief Minister said. The Congress regime spent Rs 650 crore in ten years on improving urban infrastructure while the BJP regime had spent Rs 37,000 crore, he said, adding that Rs 6,000 crore will be spent in this year alone.
The Chief Minister also said that in view of shortage of houses in big cities, construction of high-rises would be encouraged. As many as 1,500 new buses would be purchased for expanding inter-city public transport in 16 main cities; multi-level parkings will be constructed, the manifesto promises. It also promises a number of green initiatives such as bicycle rental scheme and promoting construction of energy efficient and environment-friendly buildings.
Taking a jibe at the BJP for releasing MP Urban Bodies Election -2014 ‘Nagar Sankalp Patra,’ State Congress spokesperson KK Mishra claimed that the BJP manifesto has copied Congress manifesto and said it is old wine in new bottle.
He claimed that across all the urban bodies, more than 75 per cent of fund is spent in establishments and in such conditions there is no mention of how financial conditions would be strengthened and how funds for infrastructure would be generated.
For the past 13 years the BJP has ruled urban bodies but failed to provide basic facilities in their areas.