Funds for Purandar airport, Bhimashankar redevelopment on Pune MLAs’ budget wish list

Pune: MLAs sought allocations for key infrastructure and development projects in the district, including the proposed international airport in Purandar and redevelopment of the Bhimashankar temple area, ahead of the budget session of the assembly from next week.During a virtual interaction with the chief minister following last week's District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) meeting, the MLAs from Pune district sought funds for the Purandar airport project to boost regional connectivity and improve the city's internal road network. They also pressed for enhanced facilities around the Bhimashankar shrine ahead of the upcoming Kumbh Mela and sought to scale up the international cycling event — Pune Grand Tour. Inter-city connectivity projects such as the Pune ring road and the proposed Pune–Nashik high-speed rail corridor also figured in the discussions.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will present the state budget on March 6. Some MLAs expressed concerns over fiscal constraints, though. They said the government was likely to prioritise flagship welfare schemes such as Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. "With little financial elbow room, the budget is unlikely to offer new big-ticket schemes," an MLA said.Senior officials also expressed doubts over funds allocation for new projects. "We are in a bit of a dilemma amid the execution of the Ladki Bahin scheme by curtailing funds for major projects," an official said.Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's budget speech last year mentioned several infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Pune Metro Phase II with an outlay of Rs9,897 crore for the Khadakwasla–Swargate–Hadapsar–Kharadi and Nal Stop–Warje–Manikbagh corridors, and a 54km elevated Pune–Shirur road at an estimated cost of Rs7,514 crore.The budget had also referred to the missing link project on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. It is slated to open on May 1.Other allocations last year included renovation of sports facilities at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex and establishment of 18 new courts in Paud, Indapur and Junnar. Under culture and urban development, Rs50 crore was earmarked to expedite completion of the Shivshrushti project in Ambegaon and renovation of the Vastaad Lahuji Salve memorial. A sewage treatment project worth Rs8,200 crore aimed at ensuring water sustainability for industries and agriculture was also announced.