Allegations of Inflated Road Construction Contracts in Maharashtra

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab has accused the Maharashtra government of awarding road construction contracts worth Rs 89,000 crore when the actual cost was Rs 49,000 crore. He claims this was done to raise funds for upcoming assembly elections. The state government did not have proper approvals for these inflated contracts.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab has leveled serious allegations against the Maharashtra government, accusing it of awarding road construction contracts worth Rs 89,000 crore despite the projects' actual costs being Rs 49,000 crore. He made these claims during a session of the legislative council, asserting that the inflated contracts are intended to generate funds for the forthcoming assembly elections.

According to Parab, tenders were issued for highway construction projects such as Virar-Alibaug, Nagpur-Gondia-Chandrapur, Jalna-Nagpur highways, and the Pune Ring Road, all of which have been awarded at inflated prices. Parab pointed out that the National Highway Authority of India can construct a six-lane road for Rs 86 crore per kilometer, yet the state government has quoted Rs 266 crore for an eight-lane road. He raised concerns about the lack of administrative or cabinet approval for these projects.

Additionally, Parab criticized the government for extending the deputation of IRS officer Sudhakar Shinde in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Shinde, related to a BJP legislator, has allegedly overstayed his deputation period, which Parab claims is unfair to IAS officers in the state.