KOLHAPUR: The long-pending demand for merger of the fringe areas into Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) limits has once again taken the centre stage ahead of the assembly elections in Kolhapur North constituency.
Shiv Sena candidate and former MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar has vowed to carry out the merger and thereby expand the city limits if the Mahayuti forms the govt after the election.
“We are going to carry out the merger of the developed fringe parts into KMC limits. Chief minister Eknath Shinde has always favoured the merger to ensure proper development of the city. The issue is pending because leaders of other parties take different stands. They say something when they speak in the city and something else in the fringe areas.”
For the last five decades, the civic limits of Kolhapur have not been changed. Kolhapur North constituency comprises nearly one-third of the city, while the remaining is in Kolhapur South. Be it any election, the issue gets raised as per the convenience of the politicians.
The demand for the merger is made to ease the pressure created by the rapid urbanisation of the fringe villages. The residents of the fringe areas depend on civic amenities, but they have no liability to pay the taxes.
Rajesh Latkar, a Maha Vikas Aghadi-backed independent candidate, said he is also in favour of the merger.
“The candidate from the opposition was an MLA for 10 years. But he could not get it approved despite his party being in power. He also holds a position equivalent to a cabinet minister. He is trying to get votes on this long-pending demand of the citizens. There is a need for consensus to be developed between both sides to get the merger done. The fringe areas require planned growth.”
