BJP leader and NMC standing committee chairman Sandeep Joshi said no leaders have been invited but NMC and ST officials are likely to discuss the burning issue of Mor Bhavan for Starbus parking.
Transport secretary Ashwini Kumar, who was on leave, was not available for comments. However, in view of the stubborn stand taken by Joshi, leader of the opposition in the NMC Vikas Thakre and MSRTC chairman Sudhakar Paricharak, the meeting will conclude on expected lines.
"I've no knowledge about MSRTC planning to take over Starbuses. It is possible only if NMC House passes a resolution. We've suo motu handed over the city bus service to the NMC and will run them only if corporation is not interested," Paricharak told TOI.
On the Mor Bhavan issue, Paricharak said the land has been bought by the MSRTC for Rs 1.83 crore since 1958. "It belongs to us. We've plans to develop it either on BOT basis or self by bringing facilities for passengers and beautify it this year," he said.
On the contrary, Joshi said, in no way MSRTC will be allowed to take back the city bus service. "First the ST officials forced us to run the buses and now a word is being spread that MSRTC is ready to run them. We will not let it happen."
He added, the NMC is planning to streamline the Starbus service by implementing speedlocking. "We plan to run the city buses at 45 kmph. The timings will also be monitored by a squad of corporators," Joshi stated.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Vikas Thakre said a delegation of corporators will meet chief minister Prithviraj Chavan next week and urge him to hand over Starbuses to MSRTC.
"Starbuses under JNNURM have become milching cows for the private bus operator. The operator has no facilities like workshop and trained staff. It has also failed on safety front. The contract clearly states that NMC is not responsible for providing parking place to the operator and he has to make his own arrangement," Thakre said.
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