Ranchi, July 6: The fate of Greater Ranchi continues to hang in the balance even as the building construction department works out new measures to introduce transparency in its functioning.

Building and construction minister Raghuvar Das has reservations against the term “Greater Ranchi”.

“It will be a greater village. I am not here to shelve the project whose foundation was laid by deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani in November last year. But I fail to understand what people mean by Greater Ranchi,” said the minister.

He added that the term “Greater Ranchi” lacked a “swadeshi” touch.

Das had made headlines two months ago when he reportedly said the Greater Ranchi plan had been shelved.

“My department is supposed to make a new Vidhan Sabha, secretariat, chief minister’s residence and Raj Bhavan. A few more buildings will also be constructed by us in the coming days. For this, a high-level meeting will be called soon for project approval. The work will begin after necessary provisions were made in the budget. Is that what we mean by ‘Greater Ranchi’?” said the minister.

Sources said Das was apprehensive that he might not receive adequate credit for the work since his political rivals had made the plans.

Since he had nothing new to add to the project, he was concentrating on getting rid of the term, “Greater Ranchi”. Since the foundation of Greater Ranchi was laid by deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, his “job” has become more difficult.

The absence of a clear vision and concrete plans have compounded his problems.

“I am a politician. Giving public statements is part of my profession. I don’t understand what people mean by Greater Ranchi. The new capital will be a greater village,” Das said.