DUBAI: An Indian minister has declared his intention to build a skyscraper taller than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and Twitter users have expressed anger.
On Sunday, India’s Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that the Mumbai Port Trust was the “richest landlord” of the city and outlined his plans to make use of the trust’s swathes of industrial wasteland.
“We are not giving our land to the builders and investors. We have plans to develop the area...We are making a green, smart road, three times bigger than the Marine Drive. We pla historic landmark bigger than Burj Khalifa. The plan is ready, we are waiting for the approval from the Cabinet,” Gadkari said, according to The Economic Times.
The minister’s plans to outdo the 163-floor Burj Khalifa were not met with enthusiasm online, however.
News: Nitin Gadkari plans landmark taller than Burj Khalifa on Mumbai waterfront.
Fact: None dies of hunger in Dubai, millions do in India!— Samar (@Samar_Anarya) April 16, 2017
Some took aim at the minister.
Nitin Gadkari wants a building taller than the Burj Khalifa. This is what happens when a village idiot becomes a minister.
— lindsay pereira (@lindsaypereira) April 16, 2017
Others called on him to focus his attention on other pressing issues.
@EconomicTimes Misplaced priorities... Someone needs to tell this guy India news food, water, shelter, jobs......not buildings
— JaiyashreeAnbu (@JaiyashreeAnbu) April 16, 2017
@EconomicTimes Yeah.. Tallest building to go with the largest slum. Variety is the spice of life after all!!
— Rishi Mishra (@aRishisays) April 16, 2017
