Calling off his foreign trip to Japan and China, the CM has stayed back to deal with the pre-monsoon works. Excerpts from an interview.
Mumbai is serious business. And that’s what Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh wants the citizens to believe in. Calling off his foreign trip to Japan and China, where he was to discuss loans for city’s infrastructure projects, the CM has stayed back to deal with the pre-monsoon works. Excerpts from an interview with the Chief Minister.
Why did you call off your foreign trip?
This is a crucial monsoon for Mumbai. We are focused on the works undertaken for the city. Honestly, I didn’t want yet another controversy over my trip.
What about city Congress chief Gurudas Kamat’s allegations over the poor quality houses given to the Mithi project-affected people?
The houses in question are not constructed by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). They were built by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), which were purchased by the MMRDA to relocate the Mithi-affected people. The entire rehabilitation project is reviewed by the World Bank and they have not lodged any complaint.
But there are corruption charges against T Chandrashekhar…
The charges are baseless. Chandrashekhar is one of our finest officers.
Isn’t the MMRDA guilty of working slow?
There may be a few lapses. But the scope of work is too vast. Major road works are done at night because of traffic. We must understand the constraints before making such statements.
What about the alleged dominant role played by Chandrashekhar?
Let me make one thing clear. I’m the chairman of MMRDA and the executive committee of the Board is headed by chief secretary DK Sankaran. All the projects have to go through the board so no one can play a dominant role in assigning work.
Do you see any political motive behind this as the letter against MMRDA’s functioning has gone to Congress President Sonia Gandhi?
I know Kamat has raised many issues and when he returns from Delhi, we will sort them out. I will send a written reply to my party colleague.
Is it true that you stopped Johny Joseph from being transferred to the Central posting in Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT)?
I got letters from Mayor Datta Dalvi and corporators asking us to retain Joseph during monsoon. He is due for a deputation, but we felt that this was not the right time to bring in a new person.
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