The Indian Express 09.03.2013
LBT on its way, Rs 34 cr spent on octroi posts goes down the drain
The civic administration has over the last three years spent over Rs
34 crore on modernisation of five octroi posts in the city, which may
prove redundant given the plans to switch to local body tax (LBT) regime
this year.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initiated the
project to modernise the five octroi nakas three years ago to increase
efficiency and vigilance at the posts. In the first phase, CCTV
installation and construction of compound walls and administrative
blocks were taken up.
Work at Mulund checkpost was completed at Rs 34 crore. Works
amounting to about Rs 60 crore at LBS Road and Mankhurd octroi posts
have been halted. “After the decision to implement LBT, we decided to
stop modernisation work at checkposts. As there was no such indication
of a policy change earlier, some works have already been completed,”
said Jeevan Patgaonkar, City Engineer.
Following a state government directive, the civic body plans to
shift from octroi to LBT this year. The shift has also raised concerns
about security at major entry and exit points, as the five octroi nakas
will soon be left unmanned.