Indian Express 19.11.2009
Financial crunch in civic body: no new projects, only basic amenities
While the economic situation in the country is improving, the slowdown seems to have dampened Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's development plans for the city. Facing severe financial crunch, the BMC has decided not to undertake any new projects or beautifications plans in the coming year and stick to providing basic amenities to the citizens.
The civic administration has already asked its departments to cut down administrative cost by 10 per cent and postpone beautification, refurbishment and other trivial projects. “We will not have enough funds to invest in new projects. So it is obvious that no new projects will be undertaken in financial year 2010-11,” said chief accountant (finance) Ram Dhas.
The process for the next year's budget has already started and departments have been asked to concentrate on completing the current projects. “The priority will be completing and taking the current projects to logical end. The projects on which the work has already begun will be undertaken next year, but we are not in a condition to take any new projects,”Dhas said.
This means, projects worth Rs 500 crore, including Rs 300 crore for developing Mumbai as a tourist spot recommended in this year’s budget, will have to wait. A budget of Rs 300-cr included expenditure on heritage walks in selected areas, a cycle track along Irla nullah, a Mangrove Wetland centre, a Hutatma Smarak for martyrs, a Sanyukta Maharashtra Smarak wax museum, the beach nourishment project, beautification of Chimbai and Worli beaches, development of Haji Ali promenade, beautification of Sion fort, upgradation of playgrounds, development of children’s parks and conservation of historical statues and fountains.
Civic officials said that number of big projects of road improvement and widening were already completed over the last two years and most of the water and sewerage projects including Middle Vaitarna Dam, BRIMSTOWAD and Mumbai Sewerage Disposal Project are centrally funded. “The task is to continue the operation, maintenance and repairs of capital works which are the basic amenities provided by the BMC,” an official said.
Don’t target us, look at your own spending: corporators
While the BMC is finding ways of cost cutting, corporators slammed the administration for wasting crores in appointing consultants for its various projects. Members of the standing committee opposed filling of 15 posts in the Development Plan department and protested recruitment of consultants. BMC is in midst of preparing a new DP for the city which envisages planning over the next 20 years. Corporators criticized the administration's inefficiency in completing civic projects on time that result in cost escalation. Members said the BMC should step up its vigilance in collecting octroi which is currently facing a 10 per cent dip in income.
