ME News Bureau: Union Minister Nithin Gadkari made a sharp attack on Indian Navy as he expressed his displeasure at Navy officer's large interest in setting up their houses in South Mumbai.
Gadkari said that "he won't give an inch of land in South Mumbai for Indian Navy Housing'.
Gadkari made his displeasure over the navy officers' move at a public event in Mumbai in the presence of Western Naval Command Chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra.
The Union Minister wondered why all their personnel here want to stay in this posh area when they should be at Pakistan border.
"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.
"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 added.
Gadkari, who is the Minister for Road transport and highways, shipping and water resources, also criticised the Navy's objection to a floating jetty plan at Malabar Hill in South Mumbai.
"I heard that you (Navy) gave a stay to the floating jetty plan at Malabar Hill, despite it getting the court's nod", Gadkari said. Further showing his anguish on Navy's objection Gadkari said "Where is the Navy at Malabar Hill? There is no navy at Malabar Hill and the Navy has nothing to do in the area".
South Mumbai is a key as far as the Navy is concerned as it houses the headquarters of the Western Naval Command and also the naval residential quarters at Navy Nagar in Colaba.
