The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) ambitious water purification projects, vital for the city’s sustainable future and equitable water access, are now at the centre of explosive corruption allegations. The Mumbai Congress unit has publicly accused a “broker-driven scam” within the tendering processes for the multi-crore Bhandup Complex and Panjapur water purification facilities, demanding an immediate high-level investigation. This development casts a shadow over critical urban infrastructure initiatives designed to ensure clean and adequate water for all Mumbaikars.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, flanked by senior party leaders, contended that influential brokers and vested interests are manipulating tender procedures under the current administration’s purview. These alleged manipulations, they claim, are systematically favouring specific contractors, undermining global competition, and potentially inflating project costs at the direct expense of Mumbai’s taxpayers. The BMC has yet to issue an official response to these serious accusations.
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Central to the controversy are the 2000 Million Litres per Day (MLD) Bhandup Complex project, valued at ₹4,376 crore, and the 910 MLD Panjapur project. Sawant detailed a pattern of repeated tender alterations, alleging that the initial Bhandup tender, floated in October 2023, saw six extensions before a crucial addendum restricted eligible experience solely to companies with prior projects in India. This, he asserted, was a deliberate move to exclude international players and secure the contract for a pre-determined firm, potentially violating guidelines from both the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) which advocate for fair and open competition.
The Congress further claimed that this alleged manipulation led to the final approved bid for the Bhandup project being nearly 30 per cent higher than the original estimate, resulting in substantial losses to the municipal exchequer. A similar pattern was highlighted for the Panjapur project, whose tender, initially issued in September 2024, was postponed eight times before being cancelled in March 2025 citing “no response.” A fresh tender in April, it is alleged, again included stricter eligibility clauses demanding only India-based experience, with a recurring benefit to the same contractor and technology supplier, reportedly Veolia.
These allegations paint a concerning picture of a deep-rooted nexus involving contractors, civic officials, technology suppliers, and middlemen, purportedly operating with political patronage. The Congress leaders have formally submitted a letter to relevant authorities on July 16, urging a comprehensive and impartial probe into the matter. They warn that without immediate intervention, Mumbai’s residents will continue to bear the financial burden of inflated costs, hindering the city’s progress towards developing resilient, sustainable, and equitable water infrastructure for its rapidly growing population. The transparency and accountability of these vital projects are paramount to building a zero-net carbon and eco-friendly future for the city.
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