Ruling Shiv Sena, BJP divided over ‘aspirational toilets' project in Mumbai
Shiv Sena
and
BJP
seem to be divided over 'aspirational toilets'. After the state govt ordered a stay on BMC's Rs 12 crore aspirational toilets construction contract and sought a report in 30 days, BMC officials said that the contract for aspirational toilets was granted in 2023 and it was funded by the Mumbai City District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) fund.
In 2023, the project was sanctioned by then Mumbai city guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar of the Shiv Sena, and the present set of officials had nothing to do with it.
Interestingly, the project that was pushed by then Sena Minister Kesarkar was exposed by BJP MLA Ameet Satam through a calling attention motion. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar also slammed the project and asked how the BMC was spending over Rs 1.5 crore per toilet.
BJP Minister Ashish Shelar too criticised the project, questioning if approval for the toilets was obtained from the heritage committee, as the sites include Unesco-recognised heritage sites and precincts.
Shelar, who is the culture minister, said there are strict regulations governing construction in such areas and emphasised that the aesthetic integrity of Mumbai must be preserved, and pedestrian rights should not be compromised.
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Many of these toilets are in the heritage precincts of Colaba and Fort areas.
The aspirational toilets incorporate smart features like automatic flushing, sensor-based lighting and ventilation, and even voice assistance. These toilets have a European-style design and these toilets are part of a broader initiative to improve public amenities, maintain cleanliness, and provide better sanitation for residents and visitors.
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They are equipped with amenities such as hand sanitizers, toilet paper dispensers, and adequate lighting, promoting hygiene and user comfort.
Officials pointed out that the project was planned and approved during the Mahayuti govt when Eknath Shinde was CM and Kesarkar the guardian minister for Mumbai City, indicating that there was friction between the ruling Sena and BJP over the project. Shinde is now the guardian minister of Mumbai City.
Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who is also from the BJP, ruled that the state govt must direct Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to conduct a probe against Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, who is pushing the aspirational toilet project, and take action against her if any irregularities are found in the probe.
BMC has claimed that three tenders were floated for 13 toilets worth around Rs 21 crore.
Each toilet costs around Rs 1.65 crore. However, three aspirational toilets were proposed on open spaces, so they were dropped. One toilet was in Dharavi, which was dropped since the area is now part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. For the toilet near Sion Fort, BMC couldn't get permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and it was dropped.
The toilet at VB Worlikar Marg in Worli was cancelled after orders from the municipal commissioner. At the moment, work is going on only for seven toilets that cost around Rs 12 crore.
Just last week, Makarand Narwekar, former BJP corporator from Colaba, wrote to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani demanding a vigilance probe into the aspirational toilets scam, but didn't get any response from BMC.
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