Mumbai BMC Accused Of Faking Slum Projects Worth Crores
Mumbai’s affluent A Ward is embroiled in a new controversy as serious allegations of financial fraud emerge within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) slum improvement and beautification programme. Claims suggest purchase orders totaling ₹11.58 crore in Ambedkar Nagar, Cuffe Parade, between 2023 and 2025, alongside additional funds for Geeta Nagar and Ganesh Murti Nagar, were issued for projects that were either incomplete or entirely non-existent on the ground. This alleged misappropriation of public funds has sparked outrage among local residents, demanding accountability.
Mumbai’s municipal records indicate substantial spending, with ₹11.58 crore in purchase orders specifically for Ambedkar Nagar, which comprises over 7,000 tenements. An additional ₹4 crore was allocated for Geeta Nagar and ₹8 crore for Ganesh Murti Nagar since February 2024. However, on-site inspections conducted by Hindustan Times revealed a stark mismatch. For instance, BMC claimed to have spent ₹27.92 lakh on repairing a 10-seater toilet block in Gully 20 of Ambedkar Nagar, yet no such facility was found, and residents confirmed the only communal toilet had been repaired prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Similar discrepancies were noted in Gully 19 and 19A, where claimed pathway and drainage improvements worth ₹8.57 lakh and ₹13 lakh respectively were absent, with locals stating no work had been done for at least three years.
Mumbai’s ongoing scandal points fingers at civic officials. Documents show Assistant Engineer Pawan Kawre approved these controversial purchase orders; he is currently suspended over separate allegations concerning municipal pay-and-park contracts. The issue came to light following a complaint by whistleblower Santosh Daundkar, prompting Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi to issue a show-cause notice to Assistant Commissioner Jaydeep More. Daundkar alleges the scam could be worth as much as ₹100 crore, accusing officials of repeatedly reissuing identical tenders and deliberately keeping purchase orders below ₹25 lakh to evade scrutiny. Residents have voiced strong disappointment, emphasizing the lack of tangible improvements in their living conditions despite the massive allocated funds. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been urged to initiate a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and file an FIR. Additional Municipal Commissioner Joshi confirmed that further information would be sought, and disciplinary action would follow against those found guilty.
Mumbai’s civic body faces mounting pressure to address these severe allegations of fraud in slum improvement projects. The disparity between allocated funds and visible work raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability. A thorough investigation and swift action are essential to restore public trust and ensure that vital development funds genuinely benefit the city’s vulnerable populations.
