Gujarat BJP misusing funds allocated under JnNURM: Opposition

Union urban development secretary, Dr Sudhir Krishna, visited the city on Wednesday to meet JnNURM officials. But the visit took a surprise turn when the opposition party in the AMC represented its grievances to Krishna. In a letter, they alleged that the ruling BJP was misusing funds allocated under JnNURM.

The letter by the leader of opposition party, Badruddin Shaikh, read, "One of the latest irregularities is development of area surrounding Bhadra Fort. Under JnNURM, Rs74.96 crore had been sanctioned for restoration project.

"In the first phase of the project, a tender for Rs32.82 crore was floated by the municipal commissioner. But the standing committee, on June 23, awarded the contract to a company named M/s MS Khurana Pvt Ltd which was in the past penalised Rs6 crore for riverfront project work. The commissioner had also recommended a 2-year ban on the firm for the delay in work for the economically weaker section (EWS) housing scheme, work for which was sanctioned under JnNURM."

Further, Shaikh stated that although the BRTS project was sanctioned under JnNURM, the quality of bus corridors was very poor. The letter went on to state that the EWS housing projects at Isanpur, Behrampura and Vatva were of inferior quality with even the drainage and water lines not functioning properly.