Maharashtra: List of BMC projects in budget angers BJP

Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis

With an eye on next year's Mumbai civic polls, the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has promised to complete the metro's under construction big-ticket transport and other infrastructure projects within their deadline.

The announcements in the annual budget for 2021-22 on Monday invited the wrath of the opposition, which said claiming credit for the projects to be executed under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) budget amounted to cheating the people who expected something substantial from the state's coffers.

Projects mentioned

While presenting the annual budget, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar mentioned the projects undertaken by the BMC, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

"A four-lane flyover is under construction to connect the Bandra-Worli sea link to MTHL which will be completed in next three years," he added. He said land acquisition for the 126 km Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor was in progress. The project is estimated to cost R 40,000 cr.

He also mentioned the desalination project to be set up at Manori (Malad), saying that the preliminary survey was done and the final project report was expected by December 2021.

"Mumbai's transport needs to be upgraded to the international level. The work on all 14 metro corridors is in progress. Of these, metro2A and 7 will be completed by this year-end," he said.

Pawar said the Bandra-Versova sea link, costing R 11,333 cr was being constructed and a feasibility report for the Bandra-Versova-Virar sea link (estimated cost R 42,000 cr) was being prepared. The tendering process of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (estimated cost R 6,600 cr) was on, he stated. "The Mumbai Coastal Road is progressing rapidly and is planned to be complete before 2024," he announced.

According to Pawar, the sewage water treatment plants at Worli, Bandra, Dharavi, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Versova and Malad were being undertaken at the cost of R 19,500 cr, and rejuvenation of the Mithi, Dahisar, Poisar and Oshiwara rivers will be started this year at the cost of R 2,000cr.

The Dy CM said that among the city's major upcoming tourist attractions was the late Balasaheb Thackeray's memorial, which has been approved at a cost of R 400 cr. "Seeing a tremendous response to the battery-operated cycles in BKC, we will start creating dedicated cycle lanes along the western and eastern expressway this year," he added.

'Started by BJP govt'

However, Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said most of these projects were conceived and started by the previous governments. "It is for the first time that the state government has mentioned them and taken credit for the projects taken up by the municipal corporation," he said.

A senior BJP leader from Mumbai, Ashish Shelar said the government has disappointed Mumbaikars. "The government read out the names of the projects that were started by the BJP government. How can the state government pat its back by mentioning the projects that are part of the Mumbai municipal corporation? It's nothing but cheating the people," he said.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Healthcare

' Post -Covid counselling and treatment centers will be set up at every district hospital and government medical college in urban areas
' A project costing about R 7,500 cr for construction and upgradation of health institutions will be completed in the next four years.
' Rs 5000 cr for quality health services in the Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats. Out of this, R 800 cr to be given his year.
' Cancer Diagnosis Facility in 150 hospitals
' New Government Medical Colleges at Sindhudurg, Osmanabad, Nashik, Raigad, Satara, Parbhani and Amravati.
' 11 government nursing schools affiliated to government medical colleges will be converted into nursing colleges. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy colleges to be set up in all 17 government medical colleges.

Farmers' welfare

' Zero percent interest crop loans to farmers who take crop loans upto a limit of Rs. 3 lakhs and repay in time.
' 33 percent concession on the pending electricity bill. If the farmers pay 50 percent of the remaining arrears by March 2022, additional 50 percent of the remaining amount will be waived off.
' Rs 2,000 cr scheme for Strengthening of Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)
' Rs 2,100 crore for creating markets and value chain projects under Balasaheb Thackeray Agroibusiness and Rural Transformation Project
'Under Sharad Pawar Gram Samrudhi Yojana grants will be provided to rural beneficiaries for construction of permanent cowsheds, goat rearing or poultry sheds and composting.

Others

' Expenditure of Rs 3,487.50 crore for reducing pollution in industrial estates.
' Old diesel buses of State Transport Corporation will be converted into environmental friendly CNG and electric buses. The bus stands will also be modernized. An outlay of Rs 1,400 cr.
' Rs 6829.52 cr have been earmarked for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ramai Gharkul Yojana and Shabari Gharkul Yojana.
' Rs 3,000 cr for the renovation and repairs of dilapidated government and Zilla Parishad school buildings.
' Rs 11,315.78 cr for the relief and disaster management/assistance.

Pilgrimage development and monuments

The MVA government has promised development funds (amount not specified) for two dozen pilgrimage sites, including Ashtvinayak, Jejuri Gad, Saptashrungi Gad and others across the state. It has also promised funds for the development plan of Shri Kshetra Narsi Namdev (Dist. Hingoli), the birthplace of Saint Namdev Maharaj who is revered by the Hindus and Sikhs.