The legislature's public undertakings committee has asked the state government to take action against officials who chose the wrong location for a food mall on the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, leading to around Rs7 crore loss for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had earlier pointed to how the MSRDC's decision to construct a Rs5.80 crore food mall spread over 3,158.07sqmt at Kusgaon near Lonavala on the expressway was an idle investment. However, it was unoccupied since the time it was constructed in August 2006 and remains unoccupied despite tenders being called for nine times.

The audit revealed that the feasibility study regarding the food mall had not been conducted and it had been built on a ramp leading from the expressway to NH4. Hence, due to this inappropriate location, its use was restricted only to those who were proceeding to Lonavala city.

The report of the state legislature's public undertakings committee, which is chaired by BJP MLA Dr Sunil Deshmukh noted that this had led to an idle investment of Rs5.80 crore and loss of Rs1.50 crore towards interest.

It said that that an inquiry must be conducted into officials who were responsible for not selecting the right location for the food mall, resulting in a financial loss to the corporation. "An inquiry must be held regarding the officials concerned and responsibility must be fixed on those who are guilty. The report of the action taken must be submitted to the committee in three months," the committee said in its report.

It suggested that considering the lack of response to the food mall being leased out, it could be used as a function hall or resort. The MSRDC has been asked to examine this and ensure that the food mall is brought into use instead of keeping it idle. This will help prevent financial losses to the corporation.