Aaditya Thackeray alleges massive scam in BMC's road contracts

MUMBAI: Slamming the BMC over the Rs 6,080 crore mega Cement Concrete (CC) road contracts, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday alleged that the contracts were possibly a huge scam by the opaque administration, dictated by the Urban Development (UD) department headed by the ‘illegal’ chief minister himself.

Aaditya wrote to Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal stating that he raised the issue with the blatant irregularities in the road mega contracts, the BMC has gone absolutely silent on the most crucial issues. Aaditya once agains asked 10 questions on the CC road contracts to Chahal.
“Whether the work orders have been issued at the competitive bid price (average 8% above the estimated price) or “at par”? If they are given “at par” of BMC’s revised estimates, then it means that the bidding process has not been followed and tenders have been awarded unilaterally at the whim of the BMC administration. Whether a “no escalation clause” has been inserted in these contracts and what actions would allow escalation of the cost? How many road works have begun from these work orders that have been issued? How many NoCs have been received from the Mumbai Traffic Police and other agencies? Whether or not the proposed 10% “advance mobilisation” money has been given to contractors? Will the two-week stoppage of gravel supply and its subsequent hike in prices affect the costs of any of these work orders or other ongoing road works, out of the scope of these work orders?,” Aaditya asked among other questions.
Aaditya said that these 10 questions were crucial for Mumbaikars, as the money for the Rs 6,080 crores proposed road works, handed out to 5 contractors in a way that seemed like a method of cartels, in absolute secrecy, is their hard earned money.
“It’s also come to light through various media articles that many legislators, former corporators and citizens have demanded inquiries against these road contractors. Based on these letters, the BMC has fined contractors a few crores. However, the core of this mismanagement lies with the BMC administration, as much as the contractors. There seems to be no action from BMC officials. We wonder, as citizens, whether there will be any introspection on this anti-democratic administration and brash fashion of spending public money, without checks, balances and need,” Aaditya said in his letter.
Aaditya also asked the BMC for a revised timeline of the road works, and whether advance mobilisation will be paid for road works that are proposed to start post-monsoon in 2023, or later.