City
Epaper

Beautification on a Budget? Mumbai's Rs 12 Crore J.J. Flyover Project Sparks Debate

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: January 12, 2024 09:49 IST

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s beautification campaign has drawn scrutiny over a proposed Rs 12 crore lighting project at the ...

Open in App

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s beautification campaign has drawn scrutiny over a proposed Rs 12 crore lighting project at the J.J. Flyover. Critics argue the hefty price tag outweighs the benefits, raising concerns about priorities in resource allocation.

As part of the beautification campaign, the municipality has started a flurry of work at flyovers, parks, etc. After the G-20 summit, special emphasis has been given to lighting. So far, many flyovers have been lit up by installing LED lights. About 1 to 3 crores have been spent on this. The same experiment will be done at J.J. Flyover. The 12 crores spent on this lighting is eye-catching. The municipality has started the tender process for this work.

The MC has launched various beautification initiatives, including lighting projects on other flyovers like Qutub-e-Alam (Rs 1.5 crore) and Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Rs 2.5 crore). However, the 12 crore figure for the J.J. Flyover project has attracted criticism, with details on the lighting design and justification for the cost remaining unclear.

The push for project completion before the Lok Sabha elections in March is evident. Officials reportedly attended PM Modi's visit preparations in Gujarat, and pre-G20 summit beautification efforts included lighting flyovers in Bandra, including Sadhu Vaswani and J.D. Somaiya, at a cost of Rs 1-2 crore each.

Overall Beautification Progress and Budget Allocation

Municipality has allocated Rs 1,700 crore for the beautification campaign, with Rs 725 crore already spent. Out of 1,285 tenders issued, only 19 projects have been completed, with 685 projects each undertaken in the city and suburbs. The department-wise budget allocation includes Rs 500 crore for department offices, Rs 150 crore for the roads department, and Rs 68 crore for engineering works.

Questions Linger over Effectiveness and Transparency

While beautification efforts can enhance urban spaces, the J.J. Flyover project's high cost raises questions about its value compared to potential investments in critical infrastructure or social services. Additionally, the lack of readily available information on the project's specifics adds to concerns about transparency.

Looking Ahead: Prioritizing Impact and Public Input

As the Municipality works to beautify Mumbai, prioritizing projects with tangible benefits for citizens and ensuring transparent communication around expenditures will be crucial. Engaging with the public and addressing concerns over resource allocation can help build trust and ensure beautification efforts reflect community needs.

 

 

Tags: Brihanmumbai Municipal CorporationMumbai NewsMaharashtra News
Open in App

Related Stories

MaharashtraPahalgam Terror Attack: 500 Tourists from Maharashtra Return Home in Two Days; State Government Arranges Special Flights (VIDEO)

MumbaiMumbai: Copper Cable Theft Disrupts MP Priyanka Chaturvedi’s MTNL Landline, Govt Suffers Rs 12 Lakh Loss

MaharashtraPahalgam Terror Attack: 183 Tourists Return to Maharashtra; 232 More to Arrive on Friday

MumbaiMumbai: Death Threat, Rs 10 Crore Extortion Case Against Zeeshan Siddiqui Transferred to Crime Branch

MaharashtraChhatrapati Sambhajinagar Water Supply at Risk as CSMC Fails to Clear Rs 10 Crore Bill

Maharashtra Realted Stories

MaharashtraJalgaon Shocker: 20-Year-Old Boy Injured in Firing Incident During Birthday Celebration, Old Rivalry Suspected

MumbaiMumbai on High Alert, Security Tightened at Public Places After Pahalgam Terror Attack

MumbaiMumbai Road Rage: BEST Bus Conductor Assaulted by Car Driver in Andheri, Video Goes Viral

MaharashtraLadki Bahin Yojana: Maharashtra Govt to Transfer Rs 3,000 for April and May Installments Together? Check Details Inside

NashikNashik Sizzles Again as Temperatures Cross 40°C Mark