The Times of India              19.11.2010

BMC panel seeks to scuttle streetscape plan

 MUMBAI: The city's quest to seek a unique identity of its own with the help of attractive streetscapes may not come through anytime soon.

Angry corporators from all parties are expected to move a resolution against a decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install modern street furniture across the city. If approved, it is alleged, the move would drain over Rs 500 crore from the civic body's coffers.

In a meeting with Mayor Shraddha Jadhav on Thursday, a decision was taken to request the administration to terminate agreements with the seven private companies that had been recruited to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

Members of BMC's standing committee, who are empowered to approve major infrastructure projects, alleged the tenders were invited without taking their permission. This, they said, was a violation of the BMC Act that empowers the standing committee to clear major infrastructure projects.

While the firms are likely to earn a handsome revenue, BMC will get only 10% of the total profit, they claimed. "This is nothing short of a scandal and there should be a thorough probe into the matter. The agreements with the firms should also be terminated immediately," said chairman of the standing committee, Rahul Shewale.

The project, which has been on hold because of a finance crunch, aims to improve existing public amenities, make it easier for pedestrians to negotiate Mumbai's pavements and provide the city with an attractive streetscape. The project will also try to provide a unique identity to different areas of the city with lightings, decorative paving and public arts.

Work on various components of the project was supposed to begin in January 2009 . After the BMC shortlisted international firms to carry out a survey to ensure that Mumbai's unique features - its high-density population, cluttered development and congested roads - were taken into account for preparing a final blue-print. But no further steps were taken to speed up work.

Now, it has been alleged that, since tenders were not invited and the standing committee's permission was not taken, the civic administration has violated guidelines of the BMC Act.