Ahir lambasts Crawford Market redevelopment plan

Mumbai, Mar 27 (UNI) The redevelopment plan for the Rs 400 crore Crawford Market in South Mumbai came in for strong criticism from NCP MLA Sachin Ahir in the Legislative Assembly today.

Speaking on the issue after the Question Hour, Mr Ahir said the Improvements Committee of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had acted in ''undue haste'' in giving the contract to a prominent builder.

He charged that the plan had been okayed by violating rules and regulations and demanded that the government intervene and stay the plan.

Shiv Sena-BJP are in power in the Mumbai civic body, the largest and richest in Asia.

Later, talking to reporters in the press room, BJP leader Gopinath Munde said he had consulted Shiv Sena working president Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the issue and it has been decided to stay the plan. The plan was to be approved in the general body meeting tomorrow. ''We will invite suggestions and complaints from the people before putting the proposal in the general body for approval,'' he said.

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