BJP Unveils Ambitious Civic Poll Manifesto for Pune with Major Tax Waivers and Infrastructure Projects

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, outlining a range of promises aimed at enhancing the city's infrastructure and improving the lives of its residents. The manifesto includes significant property tax waivers, travel concessions, and a series of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Senior BJP leaders Murlidhar Mohol, Chandrakant Patil, and Madhuri Misal, along with the city’s BJP MLAs, presented the manifesto. Key highlights include a waiver of property tax for houses and flats measuring below 500 square feet, free PMPML travel for senior citizens above 75 years, and concessional fares for women on Metro and PMPML buses.

Addressing the media, Murlidhar Mohol emphasized the party’s track record in Pune. “What we promise, we deliver. We promised the Metro, equal water distribution, and riverfront development, and we have delivered. Now we want to take Pune to a new level, and we are confident that citizens will once again choose the BJP,” he stated.

However, the feasibility of implementing these mega infrastructure projects worth over ₹76,000 crore has been questioned, given that the PMC’s annual budget is around ₹10,000 crore. Mohol responded by stating that funding would come from the state and central governments. “PMC may plan these projects, but funds will be arranged with the support of the state and Centre,” he explained.

The manifesto also includes a pledge to develop a Bharat Mandapam on 40 acres near Pune airport, extend the Khadakwasla–Kharadi Metro line up to the airport, and build an advanced data center near the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Other promises include the completion of 15 town planning schemes, the induction of 4,000 electric buses, and the conversion of amenity spaces into green zones to position Pune as a 'lake city'.

Chandrakant Patil, another senior BJP leader, highlighted the party’s achievements during its tenure. “Because the BJP was in power at the Centre, state, and civic levels, Pune received support for Metro projects, 1,000 electric buses, river rejuvenation works, the Ring Road, land acquisition for the proposed Purandar airport, and the Chandni Chowk redevelopment,” he said.

When asked about the BJP’s 2017 ‘Smart Pune’ pitch and whether the city had become ‘smart’ during the party’s tenure, Mohol acknowledged that the Smart City scheme was limited to specific areas such as Baner and Balewadi. However, he added that work had been carried out across the city, though he did not directly address why the Smart City Mission was discontinued by the Centre.

The manifesto aims to address various civic issues, including encroachment-free footpaths, strict action against illegal flexes and banners, and the development of all city lakes. These promises reflect the BJP’s commitment to making Pune a more livable and sustainable city.

Despite the ambitious nature of the manifesto, the party remains confident in its ability to deliver on its promises, leveraging its presence in power at the national, state, and local levels to secure the necessary resources and support for these projects.