In what could become another point of contention between allies BJP and Shiv Sena, the latter on Monday said it did not support the ₹250-crore provision in supplementary demands for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.
“The Sena has time and again made its opposition to the project clear. What we have said outside the House, we repeat inside. We are not against development, but we do not want it at the cost of the environment and against the will of residents,” Sunil Prabhu, the party’s group leader said.
“We oppose allotting ₹250 crore for this project,” he said, responding to questions about the Sena’s stand on the issue. Mr. Prabhu said the funds should instead be spent to improve suburban train services.
In its supplementary demands worth ₹11,445 crore, the government has allocated ₹250 crore as the proposed state capital for the special purpose vehicle formed for the high-speed rail corridor.
The issue was raised during a discussion over the supplementary demands. NCP leader Ajit Pawar questioned the need for the bullet train provision. “More than half the members of this House have opposed the project,” he said. Taking a dig at the Sena, Mr. Pawar asked if the party had changed its earlier stand to now support the allocation.
Published - July 10, 2018 12:20 am IST
