Connect with us
Friday,25-July-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Mumbai: ‘BMC Lost Over 200 Crores in Car Parking Contracts’, Alleges RTI Activist, Demands Inquiry

Published

on

Mumbai: 'BMC Lost Over 200 Crores in Car Parking Contracts', Alleges RTI Activist, Demands Inquiry

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started awarding Elevated Multilevel Electromechanical Car Parking System (Shuttle and Robo Parker System) at various locations in Mumbai, including Mumbadevi, Matunga, Fort and Worli.

RTI activist Anil Galgali has demanded an inquiry, complaining that the Mumbai Corporation has suffered a huge loss of more than Rs.200 Crores in the Car Parking contracts. In Delhi, the cost of Car Parking per Vehicle is in the range of approx. Rs. 7 lakhs to 17 lakhs and whereas the cost of Car Parking per Vehicle in Mumbai is in the range of approx. Rs.22 lakhs to 40 lakhs. The Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) partner is M/s Sotefin Parking Private Limited in all the bid tenders so far awarded by the Municipal Corporation.

Activist Demands Cancellation of Controversial Contracts

Galgali in a letter sent to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has sought inquiry about the car parking contracts work awarded worth Rs. 513.41 Crores and demanded immediate cancellation of all the controversial contracts awarded recently.

In the complaint, Galgali has stated that the OEM partner among all the tenderers is common i.e. M/s Sotefin Parking Private Limited. The Car Parking contracts awarded worth Rs. 513.41 Crores is more than the work done by M/s. Sotefin Parking Pvt. Ltd. at the same location. The only OEM partner who has entered into an MOA with more than one tenderer is M/s Sotefin Parking Pvt. Ltd. which creates serious doubts on the BMC tendering process.

Sotefin Parking Pvt. Ltd. Charged Different Rates For Delhi & Mumbai

The OEM partner M/s. Sotefin Parking Pvt. Ltd. has executed 264 Car Parking System for CPWD at Central Vista Project, New Delhi at a total project cost of Rs. 44.71 Crores for which cost works out to Rs.16.94 lakhs per Car Parking. The same OEM also executed another work for CPWD for 300 Car Parking System at GPRA, New Delhi at a total project cost of Rs. 21.18 Crores for which cost works out to Rs. 7.06 lakhs per Car Parking. The BMC has awarded a contract to SMS Infrastructure Ltd. with the same OEM to execute 546 Car Parking System near Mumbadevi Temple in Mumbai at the project cost of Rs. 122.60 Crores for which cost works out to Rs.22.45 Lakh per Car Parking, Galgali said.

Galgali added that at present, the works awarded and/or assigned by the BMC include Matunga, Flora Fountain and Worli. The BMC has recently awarded a contract to Vishal Construction with the same OEM to execute 176 Car Parking System near Apsara Pen Flora Fountain, Fort in Mumbai at the project cost of Rs.70 Crores for which cost works out to a whopping sum of Rs.39.90 Lakh per Car Parking. Similarly, the BMC Engineering Hub Building, Worli, Mumbai Car Parking contract was awarded to Shree Enterprises with the same OEM to execute 640 Car Parking System at the project cost of Rs. 216.94 Crores for which cost works out to Rs.33.90 Lakh per Car Parking.

Likewise, Matunga near Central Railway the contract was awarded to Relcon Infraprojects Ltd. with the same OEM to execute 475 Car Parking System at the project cost of Rs.103.87 Crores for which cost works out to Rs.21.87 Lakh per Car Parking. Moreover, the MMRDA too has awarded a similar contract to Shree Enterprises with the same OEM to execute 669 Car Parking System at Malavani, Malad, Mumbai at the project cost of Rs.150 Crores for which cost works out to Rs.22.42 Lakh per Car Parking.    

Cost Evaluation Of Bids Not Done Properly

Galgali alleged that it seems the cost evaluation of the bids was not done properly by the Municipal Corporation/ MMRDA as no analysis of rates was done nor did the Department take other similar projects being implemented across India as a reference point for cost evaluation. It will be surprising and shocking to note that the same bidders who have been awarded the above works are doing the same/similar works in other Government Departments like CPWD, NHIDCL, Railways, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and MMRDA at lower rate but they have paid 200% to 300% more by the BMC for the same/similar work to be done here in Mumbai. These issues can be clarified when the BMC requests the MMRDA as well as some Central Government agencies to share their bid documents and cost estimates to find out the correct picture. 

Hundreds of such automatic mechanized car parking systems have been built or executed in Srinagar, Jammu, cities in Kerala, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Itanagar, Guwahati, Pune, etc. at a much lower cost than the bid amount given by the BMC. One should look for data, drawings, financial terms and conditions, operation and maintenance contracts etc. from these agencies to know the truth. A proper inquiry into the matter is warranted to verify the justification of such inflated rates, terms and conditions. One can also consult IIT Delhi professors who have been on several committees to evaluate such mechanical automated car parking for the last 15 years, he said.

There are many old and reputed companies like CCCL (Chennai), Wipro-Pari (Pune), Heman (Kerala), SimPark (Kolkata) which have built and/or executed more than thousand fully automated parking systems at individual locations in various cities. How many wrongdoings are attempted in such tenders only when private companies, list of projects with car parking capacity, contract value of such projects, O&M rate etc. can be sought from above government and private entities using the same Robo Shuttle System at a much lower rate than that proposed by the BMC said Galgali.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: MNS Workers Assault Attendant At Nanded Bus Stand For Refusing To Speak Marathi

Published

on

Nanded: In another instance of vigilantism over language, workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allegedly assaulted a Hindi-speaking migrant worker at the state transport bus stand in Nanded on Wednesday. The attendant, posted outside the ladies’ toilet, was reportedly targeted for refusing to speak in Marathi when questioned by a local.

The incident came to light after multiple videos surfaced on social media. In one clip, a man is seen confronting the attendant for collecting Rs 5 from women for using the toilet, which is generally free. When asked to respond in Marathi, the attendant allegedly said, “I will not speak Marathi, do what you want to do.” The video was reportedly circulated among local MNS workers, including the party’s Nanded city chief.

Video Shows MNS Workers Assaulting Man

Soon after, another video showed a group of men wearing MNS scarves slapping and punching the attendant. They are heard berating him not only for refusing to speak Marathi but also accusing him of misbehaving with women and being rude.

Under pressure, the man was made to deliver a forced apology on camera, stating in Marathi: “I apologise to Marathi people and to Raj Thackeray. I will not repeat this mistake again.” Despite the videos going viral, no formal FIR had been registered till Wednesday evening.

Growing Incidents Of Violence Involving MNS Workers

This episode adds to a growing list of similar incidents involving MNS workers taking offense over language. Just earlier this month, MNS cadres had allegedly assaulted shopkeepers in Mira Road, Thane and Vikhroli for not speaking Marathi. The party has long positioned itself as a protector of Marathi identity, often using aggressive means.

Party chief Raj Thackeray had previously said he was “proud” of MNS workers for “defending Marathi pride,” while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had condemned such vigilantism. “No one has the right to assault someone for not speaking a particular language,” Fadnavis had said.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Supreme Court Stays Bombay High Court’s Acquittal in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case

Published

on

New Delhi, July 24, 2025 — The Supreme Court of India has issued a stay on the Bombay High Court’s recent decision to acquit 12 men previously convicted in the 2006 Mumbai suburban train bombings. The apex court, however, clarified that the accused will not need to return to jail while the legal process continues.

The move comes days after the Maharashtra government filed a challenge against the High Court’s ruling, expressing serious concern over the acquittal of all 12 individuals who had been found guilty nearly a decade earlier. The Supreme Court agreed to examine the appeal and put the acquittal order on hold until further notice.

Background of the Case

On July 11, 2006, a series of coordinated bomb blasts targeted local trains on Mumbai’s Western Railway line during evening rush hour. The attacks resulted in the deaths of around 190 people and left over 800 injured. It was one of the deadliest terror strikes in India’s history.

In 2015, a special court convicted 12 men under anti-terror laws, sentencing five to death and the remaining to life imprisonment. However, the Bombay High Court overturned these convictions in July 2025, citing weak and unreliable evidence, inconsistencies in witness testimonies, and procedural lapses in the investigation.

Supreme Court’s Intervention

Responding to the state’s petition, the Supreme Court noted the seriousness of the matter and temporarily suspended the High Court’s decision. The court stated that although the acquittal order is stayed, the accused who had already been released will not be required to surrender at this stage.

Government’s Stand

The Maharashtra government described the High Court’s judgment as deeply concerning, arguing that the earlier trial had followed due process and that crucial evidence—such as confessions and material recovered—was improperly dismissed. The government urged the Supreme Court to uphold the original convictions in the interest of justice for the victims and their families.

What Lies Ahead

The Supreme Court is expected to conduct a detailed review of the High Court’s findings and the prosecution’s evidence. The final verdict could have a significant impact on how terrorism-related cases are investigated and prosecuted in the future, especially with respect to the handling of confessional statements, forensic evidence, and procedural safeguards.

The case continues to be a matter of national attention due to its historical gravity and implications for the justice system. Families of the victims, legal experts, and civil rights advocates are all watching closely as the country’s top court re-evaluates one of India’s most complex terror cases.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Govt Targets 50 Lakh Homes In 10 Years Under New Housing Policy 2025, Aims For Slum-Free State

Published

on

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government introduced the Housing Policy 2025 on Wednesday, a comprehensive plan expected to mobilise investments worth Rs 70,000 crore.

The policy outlines a multi-pronged strategy focusing on slum rehabilitation, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development, with special emphasis on economically weaker sections (EWS), lower-income groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG).

The government has set an ambitious target to construct 35 lakh houses over the next five years, with a long-term vision of delivering 50 lakh homes within a decade. To facilitate this, the MahaAwas Fund will be significantly expanded to Rs 20,000 crore.

“The ultimate target is to build 50 lakh houses in the next 10 years… To achieve this ambitious target, existing provisions under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations/Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations and relevant institutional frameworks will be strengthened and modified as needed. Additionally, active participation from the private sector will be promoted through a range of incentive-based measures,” the policy stated.

A key focus of the policy is transforming Maharashtra into a slum-free state through large-scale rehabilitation and redevelopment projects. The policy prioritises the needs of low-income earners, senior citizens, women, industrial workers, and students.

Affordable housing has been granted infrastructure status, enabling developers to access external commercial borrowing (ECB) and foreign direct investment (FDI). It also qualifies for priority sector lending (PSL) from banks and housing finance companies (HFCs).

The policy advocates for the redevelopment of old buildings to enhance living conditions and optimise land use. It also promotes the development of integrated townships that combine affordable housing with essential services.

“The state-level portal will soon be developed for providing information on housing development through government-private sector partnership, through developers and also through state-run undertakings,” the policy noted.

Recognising diverse housing needs, the policy includes provisions for industrial workers, senior citizens, working women, students, project-affected persons (PAPs), and migrant workers. A notable feature is the ‘Walk to Work’ concept, which reserves 10% to 30% of land in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) areas for housing.

“Such land should be handed over to the appropriate authority at the applicable acquisition price, so that authority can create adequate housing stock in such areas. The authority can also partner with private industries to provide housing for industrial workers in a public-private partnership model,” the policy explained.

Continue Reading

Trending