Funds for city go abegging

MUMBAI: It may be the most coveted stretch in Mumbai but hardly any money goes into the wellbeing of Colaba-Bandra.

According to the Mumbai District Development Council, of the Rs48 crore sanctioned last year, only Rs13.41 crore was used. Yet finance minister Jayant Patil has promised a higher allocation in the 2008-09 budget for the same stretch.

With barely two months for 2007-08 to end, the state administration sees little hope of the funds being used.

Not only is the project plan not ready but the bureaucracy is unaware that they have funds at their disposal.

For instance, funds sanctioned for urban development works was Rs5.50 crore but it remained unused. This is true for other areas too (see table).

Department  Sum allocated  Sum spent
Urban Development  Rs5.50   Nil
Ports    Rs3.16   Rs30 lakh
Housing   Rs6.23   Rs4.04
Tourism   Rs3 lakh   Nil
Sports                        Rs40.55lakh  Nil
Fisheries                    Rs1.20   Rs60 lakh
(Figures in crore unless otherwise mentioned)

Indrani Malkani, honorary secretary, Malabar Hills Residents Association, said, “The city is being taken for granted and the problems are mainly lack of infrastructure in this part. While suburbs have land for expansion, the island city is choking. The state must ensure proper use of funds.”

Bureaucracy is unaware that they have funds at their disposal. For instance, funds sanctioned for urban development works was Rs5.50 crore but it remained unused.