Opposition Demands Immediate Stay on BMC's Worli Plot Auction
Days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice for auctioning a prime Worli plot housing a municipal testing laboratory to allow its commercial exploitation by builders, the opposition has demanded that the sale be stayed. City Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad alleged that the BJP-governed BMC is gifting the plot to favored builders to construct a five-star hotel.
Allegations of Rigged Auction Conditions
Gaikwad stated that as per the plan, builders have to pay BMC only Rs 455 crore for the 5,166 square meter land while setting aside just 1,300 square meters for the laboratory. BMC must stop this auction immediately, she emphasized in a post on X. Gaikwad claimed the auction conditions have been rigged to suit only particular favorite builders who want to gulp this plot and make windfall profits through the five-star hotel.
She called for a debate on auctioning BMC properties before BMC group leaders, stressing that ad hoc auctioning of prime BMC properties must be stopped immediately. This is a multi-crore scam, Gaikwad asserted, highlighting the need for transparency in the process.
Restrictive Eligibility Criteria Criticized
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh demanded that BMC formulate an auction policy after consulting all party group leaders to avoid such sales. Shaikh alleged that the eligibility condition of having redeveloped at least three BMC properties in the past 10 years is restrictive and drafted to gift the plot to select builders of the BJP.
The auction plan was approved by former BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani days before his retirement on March 31. This move has sparked controversy, especially since the auction notice was issued weeks after junior urban development minister Madhuri Misal announced an inquiry into BMC's Rs 600-crore tender for the laboratory's redevelopment.
Background of Previous Tender Cancellations
That earlier plan had also entailed construction of a new laboratory, a multistorey robotic parking tower, and commercial units. The civic body cancelled the tender for it three times following allegations of undue cost escalation and irregularities. This history adds to the current concerns over the auction process.
As per the auction plan, the builder can construct residential or commercial towers on the plot. It stated that the land parcel would be leased out for 30 years, with the provision of extending it by another 30 years. Apart from the premium to be paid to BMC, the developer will have to construct and hand over 1,300 square meters of office space to it for its laboratory and make temporary arrangements until it is ready.
The opposition's demands highlight growing scrutiny over BMC's real estate dealings, with calls for greater accountability and fair practices in municipal property auctions.
