DEVELOPMENT of Bhandara-Gondia remains his only motto. For Sunil Mendhe, sitting MP who has been renominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Lok Sabha elections, fulfilling ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ by ushering in all-round development through big-ticket projects in his constituency has become a mission. His re-nomination by the party is an endorsement that Mendhe’s last tenure as MP was fruitful. He is banking on the same plank in the ensuing elections for which hectic campaigning is on amid the unpredictable weather conditions. “I take this opportunity to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amitbhai Shah, party chief J P Nadda for showing faith in me again. People in my constituency have seen my honest work in the last five years. I was given the responsibility by the Prime Minister to take Government schemes to the last man. The district stood first in State in implementation of ‘Gharkul’ scheme, NREGA scheme, COVID-19 vaccination. I am proud to say that I have managed to fulfill my duties,” Mendhe said in an interview with ‘The Hitavada’ during his campaign trail in the district. For the record, Mendhe’s efforts have borne fruits in renovation of three railway stations in the district under Centre’s Amrut Scheme.

 

Gondia Junction, Bhandara Road station and Tumsar Road station are witnessing development works worth over Rs 50 crore taking shape. He was also instrumental in allocation of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to Bhandara where 100 students will get medical education every year. Starting infrastructure works including Bhandara bypass, Sakoli-Gondia state highway and flyovers in Lakhani and Sakoli under the NHAI projects are also some highlights of Mendhe’s last tenure. He also made sure the traditional rice variety ‘Chinnor’ got a GI tag. It has now become a brand helping farmers earn good income. The famous Gosikhurd reservoir has also got a boost with a Rs 102 crore Water Tourism project. Confident of winning the election on these achievements, Mendhe has planned many more projects that would pitchfork Bhandara-Gondia on development path. “I am actively pursuing a dry port in Gondia. It is an important station on a crucial route where a multimodal hub needs to be set up. This can prove a gamechanger for the district,” Mendhe underlined.

 

The MP, who has climbed up through the ranks, has also set sight on a medical college in Gondia for which Rs 60 crore grant has already been approved. Commenting on the proposed project by Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) in the district, Mendhe said the land earmarked for the project (around 770 acre) would be handed over to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for setting up industries. “It will help many industries and companies set up their plants here. These projects will also help in creating more employment,” Mendhe added. The contractor-turned-politician is also focusing on boosting tourism in the region which boasts of Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary. “The NNTR comprises a magnificent jungle. Unfortunately, there are fewer tigers in the area which tourists basically want to see. Tigers mostly use this region for migration. I have held talks with wildlife experts who have suggested releasing seven to eight tigers in the jungle here.

 

Tourists can find NNTR and Koka all the more attractive,” Mendhe stated. “One more area that needs to be pursued vigorously is fish farming and aquaculture. Bhandara-Gondia have more than 15,000 lakes (talao) where fish farming can easily be an additional option for livelihood for the traditional paddy-growing farmers. For fisheries to become a booming business here, a policy is needed for sweet-water lakes. I will make sure a decision is made for the benefit of people in my constituency.” Mendhe, who won with a handsome margin in the 2019 LS election, is now pitted against Prashant Padole of Congress. He is not taking his rival lightly. “Rather than concentrating on my rival candidates, I prefer to take my own work to the voters. I have the responsibility of delivering ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’. And I am confident of fulfilling this promise,” Mendhe signed off before heading to address another campaign rally.