State govt says civic body to blame for flooding, bad roads

A day after torrential rain lashed the city, the state cabinet deflected most of the blame to the civic body.

A day after torrential rain lashed the city, the state cabinet deflected most of the blame to the civic body.

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On Tuesday, rural development minister Jayant Patil raised concerns over flooding in the city and pointed out how projects started after the July 26, 2005 deluge were still incomplete.

Patil demanded that the BMC put out a white paper on the issue, as it had failed to do justice to projects like BrihanMumbai Storm Water Drains (Brimstowad) and the Mithi river development.

Patil reportedly pointed out that the cost of the Brimstowad projects had been hiked manifold, but work was incomplete and there was no visible relief for city residents.

Public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal, however, argued that with high tide coinciding with heavy rain, flooding in low lying areas was inevitable and would cause temporary hardship. He said this was a common feature in all metros.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan did not make a comment on the issue. However sources close to Chavan said, "The CM held a monsoon meeting with BMC and nearly all MMR corporations besides MMRDA and Railways and had given them strict orders to complete works on time. What more can the CM do? At the end of the day, the implementing agency is the BMC. Parties controlling the civic body are busy indulging in identity politics instead of doing any development work."