It seems political parties are more concerned about who is carrying out an important civic work than actually getting the work done. At least, the house proceedings at the BMC head office on Monday indicated so.
Only two days ago, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar had announced that energy-efficient LED street lights will replace conventional ones in the city within the next eight months.
Shelar's announcement, however, did not go down well with the Congress and the Shiv Sena. On Monday, there was widespread discontentment and fear among the parties, who felt that the BJP is trying to install the lights by bypassing BMC's powers as planning authority for the city.
"Why is the state government in a tearing hurry to put up LED lights? It only means there is a conspiracy being planned to take away all of BMC's powers. The civic body is capable to providing street lights to the city, the state government should not interfere in its work," said leader of opposition in the BMC Devendra Amberkar.
Amberkar also alleged that the BJP is appointing private agencies for the project as per its whims and fancies.
The project has been given to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), who will also be awarded the contract to develop a computerised operating system for street lights, which would be environment-friendly.
Even BJP's ally in the state government, Sena, objected to the decision. Former mayor and Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis asking him to stay the project.
"Even though it's a good project, BMC's powers should not be bypassed. If this is allowed, the BMC would be bypassed in other projects too," Prabhu's letter stated.
BJP MLA Ameet Satam, who pioneered the project and also fasted for a week to highlight the poor lighting conditions in city, said instead of fighting over it, all parties should come together to implement the project as it will benefit all citizens and reduce crime.
"People have not understood the project. How can the BMC be bypassed? There will be an agreement between the BMC and EESL. It's a win-win for both, as the BMC will be able to get a better lit city without spending extra," said Satam.
Shelar had announced that all street lights at Marine Drive will be replaced in the next 20 days and that a pilot project on this will also be carried out in Bandra, Mulund and Colaba. "The civic body will be able to save up to Rs164 crore annually by implementing this project," Shelar had said.
More opposition to panel for city
In the general body meeting on Monday, leaders opposed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's announcement of creating a special committee for Mumbai that will be headed by prime minister Narendra Modi. As per Fadnavis, the committee would be created for all city projects which are pending at the Centre. "A few days ago, union minister Nitin Gadkari also backed Fadnavis. "This is nothing but a conspiracy to detach Mumbai from Maharashtra and we will not tolerate this. What was the need to appoint such a committee? Isn't Maharashtra's CM capable of taking decision on Mumbai's development?" asked Devendra Amberkar, opposition leader in the BMC.
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