Designer manifesto for Sena

Shiv Sena's blueprint for the 2012 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls will be more than just a political paste-up.u00a0Sources say, to ensure another five-year stay, the ruling party has approached city-based architects and consultants from abroad to come up with an immaculate development plan for the city. These recommendations are likely to be included in the party's manifesto.

After MiD DAY reported ('Sena to serve old wine in new bottle,' January 19) how the party had the same old promises in its manifesto for the February 16 polls, the Sena has started getting inputs from architects and urban designers for promising a better city in the next five years.u00a0

"Although some old promises will be repeated in the manifesto, the high command has been inviting suggestions from prominent architects on what can be done in the city as per international norms. Architects PK Das and Pankaj Joshi have been part of the discussions and they are quite well-known among the more erudite citizens at least for their work in the city," informed a senior Sena leader.u00a0

Seems like the Sena, known as the party of the lower and middle class, wants to win hearts of the elite as well. Das is a prominent name in the field of urban designing and Joshi in conservation of heritage.u00a0The leader added that Das has suggested having cycling tracks with state-of-the-art facilities as well as renovating a few more railway stations and increasing open spaces for public movement. Joshi is working on heritage conservation of buildings as per international standards.u00a0

"Also, beautifying surrounds of rivers by blocking sewage entry, enhancing coastal areas and having jetties is part of the plan," the leader added.u00a0Another Sena leader mentioned that a prominent consultant working on sewerage treatment plants has suggested adding more projects of water recycling and treatment of sewerage to decrease environmental hazard.u00a0

"We would be including the dust-free city initiative as Sena began work on it. We would also try to reduce plastic generation. Architects and engineers have a vision of their own and by making recommendations they are helping us out. Even Uddhavji has suggested some very good points, which can be covered in the next five years. But I cannot disclose them now," said senior Sena corporator Rahul Shewale.u00a0

MiD DAY had reported on January 18 ('Why just eateries? Grade canteens too') that the party would be including Aditya Thackeray's campaign of having a grading system for canteens in schools and colleges in its draft.