In reply to an RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali, it has been revealed that in the past one year the MMRDA has spent Rs 28.14 cr on the security of the 11.07 km Versova Andheri Ghatkopar metro line one
In reply to an RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali, it has been revealed that in the past one year the MMRDA has spent Rs 28.14 cr on the security of the 11.07 km Versova Andheri Ghatkopar metro line one.
RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with MMRDA seeking details of expenditure incurred on the security of Mumbai Metro One.
"MMRDA administration, in reply to the query informed me that a total annual security agreement cost was Rs 21.77 crore, also Rs 4.27 crore was paid as security deposit, as well as one month advance charges, also an expected cost of Rs 28.80 lakh was fixed for provision of sniffer dogs totaling Rs 28,13,8000," Galgali said
From April 2014 to January 2015, MMRDA has made a payment of Rs 8,69,66000 to the Maharashtra State Security Corporation in past 10 months. MMRDA has also paid Rs 3.20 lakh per month for the past 10 months as charges for sniffer dogs to the MMOPL, which comes to Rs 32 lakh as against its own estimated cost of Rs 28.80 lakh for 12 months for the dogs, the RTI revealed.
In a press release sent to the media Galgali claims that the decision of the security was taken on 22nd October 2013 in a meeting held in the chamber of Chief Secretary with the Mumbai Police. The Metro company had expressed its opinion of provision of security through private companies, whereas the police department cited that the Metro as well as Monorail were soft targets for anti social elements and hence the security be provided to trained government security agencies like CISF etc.
As a result of this the responsibility of security came on MMRDA, which has to now spent crores of public funds on security of a private partnership venture. Galgali further stated that, this expense should be solely borne by the MMOPL as MMRDA has not earned anything out of this project, neither is there any chance for it.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya and MMRDA Commissioner UPS Madan, RTI Activist Anil Galgali has demanded that the expenses incurred on security be recovered from MMOPL, also the responsibility of arranging and paying for the cost of security be fixed on the profit making MMOPL instead of MMRDA.
What MMOPL has to say?
MMOPL spokesperson said, “As per the decision of Government of Maharashtra the deployment of MSF for security of Metro commuters has been done by MMRDA and its cost is borne by MMRDA. Responsibility of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Mumbai Metro One is with MMOPL and hence all revenue and expenditure for the same are borne by the company entirely. At present the loss incurred in the business is funded by Reliance Infrastructure.”
MMRDA has spent Rs 28.14 cr on security for Mumbai Metro stations: RTI
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