Pune: BJP on Wednesday released its manifesto for the Pune Municipal Corporation election, with a thrust on improving public transport through extension of Metro services, strengthening PMPML and upgrading the road network. Expansion of Lohegaon airport will be a priority to better the connectivity to other cities while more attention will be given to development of merged areas.Pune MP and Union minister of state for civil aviation Muralidhar Mohol, along with state cabinet ministers Chandrakant Patil and Madhuri Misal, released the manifesto, claiming it would push the city towards holistic development. “It is a document of vikasit Pune. The party, after regaining power in PMC, will start working on fulfilling its promises,” Mohol said.BJP, which won 97 seats in the previous PMC poll held in 2017, is going solo this time. Sources said it set a target of bagging at least 100 seats.Mohol, without naming NCP and Congress, said people were not happy with the performance of those who governed the civic body for over two decades before the 2017 election. “People decided to vote them out and elected BJP in 2017. Thereafter, they continued their support in the general and assembly elections held in 2019 and 2024. The party is expecting similar support in the forthcoming poll,” he said. Mohol said various projects launched in the city in the last eight years, which included those for equitable water supply and pollution abatement in the Mula-Mutha rivers, are expected to be completed soon. “Work on a Metro project started in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it was inaugurated at the hands of the PM. This shows BJP is not only announcing projects; works are getting completed to pass on the benefits to people,” he said.A senior BJP member said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, at an election rally recently held in Katraj, revealed an ambitious plan — building 54-km tunnels under “Palal-lok” project — to overcome the city’s transport-related challenges. Among the areas to be connected are Katraj, Yerwada, Khadi-Machine, Swargate, Race Course, Sinhagad Road, Pashan, Kothrud, Aundh, Sangamwadi and Khadki. The project was included in the manifesto, the member said.
