BMC Opposition Leader against Powai Garden beautification

Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Rajhans Singh, has opposed the proposed beautification of the Powai Garden at an estimated cost of 43 crore.

Mr Singh is of the opinion that the civic body should not spend the amount for beautification purpose when the city is facing shortage of drinking water and other problems.

The BMC Standing Committee has passed the proposal which was presented by the water department on December 21, 2005.

The department had said the beautification will turn the spot into a tourist destination. It was estimated that the project will cost Rs 33 crore and tenders were accordingly called for on November 21 last year. A fresh tender was invited on January 2 this year.

After the tenders were received, the project was handed over to BPL-BBC joint venture which has asked for around Rs 43 crore for the total work and the Standing Committee has received a proposal to pass the same on March 12 this year. The proposal will be decided in the next Standing Committe session. The work, if cleared, is expected to be ready in a years time.

Standing Committee Chairman Ravindra Waikar told UNI, ''The proposal is a very good one and will be cleared after a series of discussions in the House.'' Asked if the garden was really necessary, Mr Waikar said, ''The proposal is people-friendly and the common man will be the biggest beneficiary.'' UNI JN MAZ SKB1832