02 July,2026 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Representation pic
Launching a sharp attack on Uddhav Thackeray and his party's 25-year control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the BJP on Wednesday claimed the previous regime lacked the political will to curb corruption. Speaking in the Assembly, Mumbai BJP president and Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam said the new civic administration had saved nearly Rs 1500 crore in just four months by cancelling what it described as inflated and unnecessary tenders. He also pushed for a major expansion of Mumbai's desalination plans, demanded action within 48 hours in the Chembur school bus tragedy, and raised concerns over the absence of senior IAS officers during the debate.
>> Nearly Rs 1500 crore saved by cancelling unnecessary civic tenders in four months.
>> BMC should expand desalination capacity from the proposed 200 MLD to 1000 MLD.
>> Action, not just an inquiry, should follow the Chembur tree-fall tragedy.
>> Mumbai's demolition waste disposal system has been tightened.
>> Nearly 2000 encroachments have been removed.
>> QR codes for hawkers should be issued only after proper verification.
Satam referred to the long-discussed "understanding" in the BMC Standing Committee, recalling a remark by former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. He alleged the phrase had become synonymous with political and financial deals, claiming a fixed percentage was routinely taken in civic contracts. "The practice no longer exists," he said.
Civic administration
Around 2000 encroachments removed.
Hawker policy
QR codes should be issued only after proper verification of identity and documents.
Traffic and parking
>> Mumbai has nearly 50 lakh vehicles.
>> Around 728 new vehicles are registered every day.
>> More parking facilities are needed, though they alone will not solve the city's parking crisis.
Roads
1900 km of roads are targeted for concreting by May 2027.
Potholes
Annual pothole-filling expenditure has reduced from about R100 crore to Rs 43 crore.
Satam attributed this to a significant reduction in potholes.
Satam said Mumbai generates:
>> Around 8000 tonnes of municipal waste every day.
>> Around 8000 tonnes of demolition debris and rubble daily.
According to him, demolition waste was earlier dumped in wetlands, mangroves and nullahs due to the absence of a scientific disposal system.
He said anyone seeking demolition permission must now specify how and where the debris will be disposed of before approval is granted.
The absence of senior BMC and Urban Development Department officials during the Assembly debate drew criticism from legislators across party lines, including BJP MLAs. Speaker Rahul Narwekar noted that although a red alert had kept civic officials occupied, at least one of the five IAS officers could have attended the proceedings. He said a notice would be issued to the Urban Development Department seeking an explanation.
Referring to the incident in which a tree fell on a school bus in Chembur, killing a student, Satam urged the government to move beyond ordering an inquiry. "Those responsible should face action within the next 48 hours."
Current position
Daily water requirement: Around 4600 MLD
Current supply: Around 4200 MLD
Existing desalination project: 200 MLD
Proposed expansion under consideration: 400 MLD
Satam's demand: Increase capacity to 1000 MLD
BJP's stand
Satam said Mumbai must reduce its dependence on rain-fed reservoirs by creating alternative water sources.
He claimed the Gargai dam project would have eased the city's water crisis but alleged it was stalled because of opposition from Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray on environmental grounds.
He also alleged similar opposition to the Metro project increased its cost by nearly Rs 10,000 crore.
"Mumbai should aim for at least 1000 MLD desalination capacity to secure its long-term water needs."
The earlier BMC regime lacked the political will to make the corporation corruption-free. In the last four months, unnecessary and inflated tenders have been cancelled, saving nearly Rs 1,500 crore of taxpayers' money.
The BJP cited these projects as examples of savings:
Tender Amount
Procurement of items for BMC school students Rs 43 cr saved
Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo) works Rs 490 cr tender cancelled
Railings and bollards on Mumbai roads Rs 380 cr crore tender scrapped
White road-marking proposal Rs 150 cr proposal scrapped
Total claimed savings Rs 1500 cr
