Pune: Maha Yuti-BJP Lok Sabha candidate Murlidhar Mohol has assured citizens that he would raise in Lok Sabha the issue of redevelopment of wadas and old buildings located within the 100-m periphery of heritage structures (Group A) listed under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
A poll rally was held for Mohol in the Kasba Peth Assembly Constituency, which passed through the Kasba Ganpati Mandir, Rasta Peth, Mangalwar Peth and Nana Peth areas.
Former corporator Hemant Rasne, Ganesh Bidkar, Yogesh Samel, Rajendra Kakade, Sanjay Mama Deshmukh, Swarada Bapat, RPI’s Sanjay Sonawane, Rajendra Kondhre, Umesh Anna Chavan, Arvind Kothari, Pushkar Tuljapurkar, Madina Tamboli, Bapu Naik, Nilesh Alhat, NCP (AP) leader Ajay Darade, Shiv Sena (BT) leader Sudarshana Trigunit, MNS leader Pralhad Gawali, Ganesh Bhokre, RPI’s Mandar Joshi and Sanjay Sonawane were present.
Mohol said, “Old wadas within 100-m periphery of heritage structures are collapsing one after another as there is a ban on new construction and redevelopment of old wadas. Redevelopment is necessary of these wadas dating back to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwa eras, which have added to the cultural wealth of Pune.
“Most of the original owners of these wadas have left and are staying elsewhere. Old tenants are living under the shadow of fear. Residents of these areas have been carrying the burden of the stringent regulations for the past some decades. At times, they face disasters. It is a problem of lakhs of residents living around 350 heritage buildings. I will pursue the issue with the ASI and seek relaxation in the rules.”
Restrictions on building activity around the airport
Mohol said, “The Defence and Civil Aviation ministries have put some restrictions on constructions around the Pune airport. I will study them and seek relaxation in them.”