Aurangabad, March 16:
Extensive measures have been taken by the central and state governments to make the city smart. Effective implementation is being done by the municipal corporation and smart city administration. However, these works are being undermined by the government office itself. AMC has paid around Rs 5 crore to MSEDCL for removal of electricity poles on six roads. But the work of removing the pillars has not started.
The municipal corporation had launched a road widening campaign in the city eight to ten years ago. Thousands of properties were demolished and roads were cleared of encroachments. After widening the road, electricity poles remained on the road. Road works were completed in some places without removing these poles. Therefore, the issue of removal of pillars had come to the fore. At that time, MSEDCL demanded crores of rupees from AMC for removing the poles. However, the corporation decided to pay in stages. So far, AMC has paid about Rs 25 crore to the MSEDCL. This includes removal of poles and DPs. The corporation paid Rs 4.98 crore a year ago. It is proposed to remove the pillars on six roads, but MSEDCL has not yet started the work. So even though the roads are paved, the electricity poles remain as a barrier.