Is There a Major Scam in the Thane-Godbunder-Bhayander Tunnel and Elevated Road Projects?

Mumbai, May 31 (NationPress) The opposition coalition of Shiv Sena-UBT and Congress in Maharashtra has raised allegations of a significant scam involving the Thane-Godbunder-Bhayander twin tunnel and elevated road projects, which are estimated to cost around Rs 14,000 crore.

During a press conference, SS-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would face dismissal and whether an investigation into this alleged scam would be initiated. His comments came after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) informed the Supreme Court that both tenders would be annulled, and a new tender process would commence to ensure the larger public interest is safeguarded.

"I applaud the court's decision... and also commend L&T (the contractor). There is no need for political interference. I had highlighted this issue last year as well," Aaditya Thackeray stated on Saturday.

"The anticipated cost of the twin projects was pegged at Rs 14,000 crore, yet the contract process was supposed to conclude in just 20 days. How can a brief notice be issued for such a significant project? When L&T approached the court, MMRDA claimed they were extending the contract period to 60 days instead of 20 days," he asserted.

"This initiative began for a favored contractor. Initially, I didn't suspect it would escalate into such a substantial scam. There was a dispute against the government regarding a contract. However, the court's ruling today gives me confidence that ‘Satyamev Jayate’ will triumph. It was evident that this was a scam. Just because the contract was later annulled under court orders doesn’t negate the fact that it was a scam.

“The ED and IT-D are being overlooked. I challenge the Chief Minister: Are you planning to investigate the 'corrupt Nath' Shinde? He must have taken bribes and issued threats. Fadnavis claims we need clean governance. Shinde oversees the urban development department... he issues orders that lead to scams. Will you investigate him? Will he be expelled?" Aaditya Thackeray questioned.

He suggested that Fadnavis might not require Shinde's support as Ajit Pawar is aligned with him. "So, will the investigation proceed while Shinde is excluded?" he pondered.

Meanwhile, Harshwardhan Sapkal, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged that there is Rs 3,000 crore in corruption linked to the twin tunnel and elevated road projects. He accused CM Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde of accepting bribes related to these projects.

“The cancellation of the tender by MMRDA does not end the matter as the core issue revolves around corruption. Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde have established a corruption corridor in the state, involving state entities like MMRDA, MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority), CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation), and SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority). This corruption network has been active since Eknath Shinde assumed office as Chief Minister, where favored officers are appointed, facilitating the favorite contractor scheme," Sapkal claimed.