BMC on a project clearance spree

Keeping the upcoming BMC elections in mind, the civic body is in overdrive to authorise projects worth Rs 1,500 crore; has already cleared projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the last two months

Keeping the upcoming BMC elections in mind, the civic body is in overdrive to authorise projects worth Rs 1,500 crore; has already cleared projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the last two months
u00a0
Wanting to go into the upcoming civic election slated for February 2012 with a good report card, the current Shiv Sena-BJP combine ruling the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has gone into overdrive mode to clear projects worth Rs 1,500 crore.

The ruling Shiv Sena-BJP combine has gone into overdrive mode to clear projects, as the code of conduct will be introduced across all the political parties in the next few days

u00a0
In the last two months, the BMC has already cleared and inaugurated projects worth Rs 1,000 crore. Besides, this hurry is being attributed to the code of conduct that will be introduced across all the political parties in the next few days.

Vested interest
A civic official, requesting anonymity, said, "The ruling parties want to take credit for all the projects initiated during their tenure, which is why, so many projects that had been delayed are being cleared just before the elections. For example, the Chimbai water front project that has been in the pipeline for over a year, is finally seeing the light of day."

Their worth
The arch drain reconstruction, which is one of the most difficult projects, is worth Rs 250 crore, while Rs 700 crore will be diverted towards garbage compactors and it will be area-based.

While the BMC intends to sanction Rs 250 crore for school stationery, Rs 200 crore would be spent on housekeeping staff and security guards at the schools.

The 3-km-long Powai tunnel project is worth Rs 150 crore. Similarly, the Britannia outfall and Gazdar bandh pumping stations are worth Rs 150 crore collectively, and so on.

Standing clearance
Recently, the Standing Committee had cleared proposals over Rs 550 crore and Rs 349 crore for development of roads in the city and another Rs 200 (approx) for stormwater drainage projects. Rahul Shewale, chairperson, Standing Committee, said, "Most of the proposals would get cleared before December 20, and after taking permissions from the Election Commission, we would be clearing a few more."

Already inaugurated
Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has already inaugurated virtual education system, which is operational in around 80 municipal schools, an engineering hub in Worli, where all the engineering departments of the BMC are housed and nearly 115 public gardens.

Besides, Thackeray has also inaugurated the Colaba water tunnel, two pumping stations: Cleveland and Lovegrove, a couple of fire commanding centres at Wadala and Byculla and two gardens: Baptista garden and Adi Shankaracharya garden.