By IANS,
Mumbai : Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil, in an oblique reference to megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s remarks that the Mumbai Metro railway would invade his privacy, said it was unfortunate that people were upset by infrastructure projects that would make life easier for the people of the city.
“Mumbai traffic is growing, travel conditions are worsening by the day… people spend four-five hours in commuting daily. We have to think of them,” Patil told reporters in his office.
In his blog, Bachchan had expressed unhappiness over one of the proposed metro rail routes passing over his Pratiksha bungalow in the upscale Juhu area of western Mumbai.
The actor lamented that the proposed Metro route would affect his and his family’s privacy.
“It is finally happening. The Metro rail being laid over the metropolis called Mumbai, some under the ground, some above over large tracts of cement structures is taking shape. There is general happiness from the commuters, for, the misery of crowded locals and the uncertainties of the three-wheeler or the yellow-black cab shall hopefully be greatly reduced,” Bachchan wrote.
“But here is the killer – it’s going to roll over Prateeksha!! So bye bye privacy and hello fellow traveller,” Bachchan rued in the blog.
Patil wondered how the government could attempt solving Mumbai’s serious traffic problems if it got objections to every such scheme.
A few years ago, melody queen Lata Mangeshkar had opposed a flyover going past her home on Pedder Road in south Mumbai.
The first Metro-Railway in Mumbai is being constructed at a fast pace by the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.