BMC issues showcause notice to ‘A' ward officer over irregularities in beautification and development works in south Mumbai

Time of India

3 days ago

Mumbai: BMC has issued a showcause notice to the A ward officer over irregularities in beautification and development works in Colaba. It was based on a complaint by activist Santosh Daundkar who said information under the RTI Act showed that the ward had issued a work order for repairing a non-existent community temple on 4th Pasta Lane in Colaba and duplication of work orders.
The showcause notice, issued by additional municipal commissioner Ashwini Joshi, stated that in the inner lane of 4th Pasta Lane, a platform around the tree was repaired and paver block work was carried out in the surrounding area, however, several components of the estimate were not implemented and there were irregularities even in the measurements of the work. It also mentioned that the beautification work site at Badhwar Park falls within Coastal Regulation Zone but was carried out without obtaining an NOC from the district collector and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority.
The notice further stated that it is prima facie evident that there are irregularities in the work carried out and a financial loss was caused to BMC. According to sources, A ward officer Jaydeep More has submitted a reply.
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Following Daundkar's complaint, BMC's vigilance department carried out partial inspection of various works in the ward. The officials found no community temple on 4th Pasta Lane. The brick wall around a tree in the inner lane was repaired and paver block placed, but several components of the work estimates, including polished jet-black granite stone plaque, cement corrugated sheets, cast iron railing, ornamental railing, were not implemented.
Also, measurements for the removal of old Shahabadi tiles and digging of the ground were recorded twice in both work orders.
In the beautification work carried out at Badhwar Park, several items in the work estimates were also not implemented, said Daundkar.
"I am surprised that BMC showed repairs to a community temple in an upmarket locality as such temples are usually in slums," said the activist. "Identical works were shown to have been carried out using both MLA and municipal corporation funds. Besides, BMC funds were used for the same work repeatedly. The estimated misuse of funds is Rs 105 crore. While the BMC chief asked the vigilance department to investigate the matter, they took only partial action, and a superficial report was submitted.
" Demanding an ACB probe, Daundkar said: "Given the seriousness of these irregularities, involving duplicate reporting, ghost projects, and misuse of public funds, a thorough investigation is warranted."