The Managing Director of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation or the MahaMetro, Brijesh Dixit has said that the corporation will appeal National Monuments Authority (NMA) in pursuit of the route via the Aga Khan Palace in an interview to The New India Express.

Kalyaninagar residents are opposing the realignment and want the metro to be executed according to the initial plan of running the Metro in front of the Aga Khan Palace. The plan had to be modified as the Aga Khan Palace was declared a national monument.

Brijesh Dixit said, “We are seriously considering their proposal. We will send an appeal to the NMA, informing them about the opposition to the route plan and also the suggestion of the local residents.”

Pune Deputy Mayor had also said that he would be requesting the Archaeological Survey of India to revert to the old plan, adding that legal course could be taken if the approval wasn’t granted.

Dixit said that they would meet the officials at NMA and try to convince them and the District Guardian Minister Girish Bapat has already initiated the action.

According to the National Monuments Act 2010, no projects are allowed within 100 meters of national monuments. While exceptions were made earlier, since the act has come in force, the exceptions have been disallowed.

Brijesh Dixit, during the interview also said there is no possibility to run an underground metro at the Yerawada Chowk as the area has a defence land. He also added that metro could be extended up to Wagholi and Ramwadi. “As and when we get the appeals from the gram panchayats and civic body, we will work out a plan,” he said.

National Monuments Act 2010

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