BJP demands 'white paper' from BMC on monsoon related spending

BJP’s Ashish Shelar (right) with BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Wednesday. Pic/X/@ShelarAshish

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has promised to complete all pending monsoon preparedness work in the next eight days. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani made this assurance after meeting a delegation of BJP leaders, which demanded a white paper from the BMC to find out where the nearly "Rs 1 lakh crore" spent to make Mumbai flood-free went.

Blaming the early onset of the monsoon for rain-related disruptions witnessed in the city, Gagrani assured the delegation, led by Mumbai BJP president and MLA Ashish Shelar, that dewatering pumps would be installed in waterlogged areas within 24 hours, with additional units provided if necessary.

Accusing Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya of ‘looting' Mumbai to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore in the past two decades, Shelar stated that citizens were owed an explanation as to where this money had gone. "The BMC should bring out a white paper on nullah desilting, flood control measures, the Mithi river cleanup and the BRIMSTOWAD [Brihanmumbai Storm Water Disposal System] project," the BJP leader demanded.

Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and the BJP delegation at the BMC headquarters on May 28. Pic/X/@ShelarAshish

It was during this meeting with the BMC commissioner that the latter admitted that nullah cleaning was incomplete and that only 55 per cent of silt had been removed from the Mithi river. "All work will be completed in the next eight days. Pumps will be installed within 24 hours," the BJP delegation mentioned after the meeting.

Political blame game

Earlier, Aaditya had slammed the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for mismanagement and held them responsible for areas of Mumbai getting flooded, disrupting the lives of citizens.

Reacting to the allegations, Shelar stated that of the BMC's Rs 80 lakh crore cumulative budget over 20 years, nearly Rs 32 lakh crore was spent on development works, Rs 1 lakh crore of which went towards drainage and river-cleaning efforts, largely during the tenure of the previous Shiv Sena-led administration. "Before questioning our three-year record, Uddhav and Aaditya must first give an account of these massive funds," Shelar replied.

Shelar further alleged that the Mithi river project has become a "hotbed of corruption," with fake claims and irregularities currently under investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Aaditya's close friend and actor Dino Morea was called for questioning by the EOW in connection with its investigation.