BJP's conspiracy to block development work by MVA govt: Sanjay Raut on HC's decision

Reacting to the Bombay High Court’s decision to stay construction of the Metro car shed in Kanjurmarg, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday, December 17, said it is very unfortunate, and that the project is important for the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra. He also stated that Maharashtra or its people cannot be troubled for long.

Raut launched a veiled attack on the BJP, accusing the opposition of creating hurdles in the development of Maharashtra as the party is not in power in the state, and said there was a conspiracy to not allow the MVA government to work in the interest of people.

While talking to reports, Raut said that no politician is going to construct his/her bungalow or farmhouse at the Kanjurmarg land. This is a matter of development of Mumbai, Maharashtra and eventually of the country. It is unfortunate if such a decision has come in this case.

On Wednesday, December 16, the Bombay High Court put a stay on the order passed by Mumbai suburban district collector allotting 102 acres of salt pan land in Kanjurmarg area here for the construction of an integrated metro car shed.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni also restrained the authorities from carrying out any construction work at the said land.

Referring to reports of a Sikh preacher committing suicide in connection with farmers’ agitation, Raut said the Centre and judiciary should look into such matters. He said there are lakhs of other cases to which the judiciary should pay heed to.

The present Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government -- comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress -- recently took a decision to shift the car shed from Aarey to Kanjurmarg.

Despite the efforts to save the forest, the opposition in Maharashtra is blocking in the developmental work carried out in the city and state. The court should have understood this, Raut said.

However, the previous BJP-led government in the state had decided to construct the car shed for the Mumbai Metro line 3 at Aarey Colony, despite opposition from environmentalists and activists to the vast tree-cutting for the project.