Watch: Navy is needed at borders, won’t give them single inch of land in South Mumbai, says Nitin Gadkari
Wondering why all Navy officials need to stay in posh South Mumbai, Ports minister Nitin Gadkari today said “not an inch” of land would be given to Navy to build flats or quarters in the area.
“Actually, Navy is needed at the borders from where terrorists sneak in. Why does everyone (in the Navy) want to stay in South Mumbai? They (Navy) had come to me, asking for a plot (of land). I will not give even an inch of land. Please don’t come to me again,” Gadkari said.
He made the remarks at a public event here in presence of Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra. Gadkari’s public displeasure comes in the backdrop of the Navy declining permission for building a floating jetty at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, where a floating hotel and seaplane service are planned.
“Everyone wants to build quarters and flats on south Mumbai’s prime land. We do respect you (Navy), but you should go to the Pakistan border and do patrolling,” Gadkari said.
A few important and senior officials can stay in Mumbai, Gadkari said, adding that land on the eastern seafront being jointly developed by the state-run Mumbai Port Trust and the Maharashtra government, …read more
