Bhoomipujan of JNNURM housing project held

Nashik, Sep 26 (UNI) Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister and District Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal today performed Bhoomipujan of a housing project for slum-dwellers under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Revewal Mission Scheme (JNNURM) in Mumbai Naka area of the city.

''This is my city. I am witnessing its progress. It should make progress like Mumbai and Pune, but mistakes should be avoided here.

This initiative by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is to make the city slum free. No one should oppose it strong resolve is necessary for completion of this project'' Bhujbal said on the occasion.

The project of 920 houses will come up in survey number 808 plot.

It will have 270 square fit blocks with five floor apartments. Each house cost is around Rs 2.5 lakh.

NMC Commissioner Vilas Thakur said in his introductory speech that construction of 6,000 such houses was on in other areas also.

The scheme is an initiative of the central and state government.

Mayor Vinayak Pande termed the scheme 'beneficial for slum-dwellers of the city.

Residents of nearby Deepali Nagar area of the city are strongly opposing the project. A group of the citzens led by Ms Ranjana Joshi corporator of the area, had gathered at the Bhoomipujan site for demonstrations.

Police commissioner Himanshu Roy negotiated with them. A meeting of these people will take place at the district collectorate later in the day.

The citizens were opposing the project, as this will increase crime in the area and cause inconvenience to them, sources said.

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