MMRDA spent more than Rs28cr on Metro security

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) spent over Rs28 crore on the security of the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro corridor, which will complete a year of operations in the first week of June.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) spent over Rs28 crore on the security of the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Metro corridor, which will complete a year of operations in the first week of June.

An RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali revealed the MMRDA spent Rs28.14 crore on the security of the 11.4-km-long Metro corridor with 12 stations.

The agency spent Rs21.77 crore on security personnel from the Maharashtra state force (MSF), in addition to the Rs4.27 crore spent on security deposits and a one-month advance payment, according to the contract between the two parties. The MMRDA has also paid a total of Rs28.80 lakh for sniffer dogs.

Galgali, in a letter to the chief secretary of the state and the MMRDA commissioner demanded the expenses incurred on security be recovered from the MMOPL because it was responsible for running and operating the route.

“The MMRDA is spending crores of public money on security on a P-P-P venture even though it is not earning a single rupee,’’ he said. The MMOPL spokesperson, however, said the MMRDA is bearing the cost of security, according to a decision by the state government. “As per the decision of the government of Maharashtra, the deployment of MSF for the security of Metro commuters has been done by the MMRDA and its cost is being borne by the MMRDA.’’