The proposal would allow the developer to demolish existing structures at the market and construct vertically using an FSI of 4.
While elected representatives in the BMC deliberate on reopening the controversial Crawford Market redevelopment proposal, BMC chief Jairaj Phatak, the person at the helm of civic affairs, believes that the redevelopment must be through open tendering.
“Any redevelopment proposal through private participation must be through a transparent and open tendering process,” Phatak said.
The redevelopment of the ancestral market, that was recorded by the Sena-led government a year-and-a-half ago following public outcry, was formulated using the old market policy that allowed existing license holders and shopkeepers (there are 726 of them) to appoint their developer M/s East and West Developers.
The proposal would allow the developer to demolish existing structures at the market and construct vertically using an FSI of 4.
However, claims that the developer would make more than Rs1000 crore from the proposal while BMC made only Rs50 crore odd forced the Sena-led ruling alliance to resist from approval.
Phatak’s assertion gains importance with the redevelopment issue coming to the fire again after RPI councillor Babasaheb Bansode moved a notice of motion to reopen it. If the proposal is revived then Phatak can make the administration’s stand known to the general body.
“If the commissioner states open tendering was in the better interests of the corporation, it will weigh on the deliberative wing while exercising their opinion over the proposal,” a councillor said. Phatak also conveyed his stand to RTI activist Shailesh Gandhi, who visited his office on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the issue was dropped from this month’s agenda after Bansode remained absent for the Thursday’s meeting. The issue could now be taken in next month’s general body meetings. BMC officials said Bansode or any other corporator could offer to reopen the proposal.
Sena councillor and Standing Committee Chairman Ravindra Waikar said, “The administration can express its stand in front of the group leaders. If it is in the interests of the city, we will go by it.”
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