Corruption Accusations Shake Mumbai Metro Projects: French Firm Systra Takes MMRDA to Court

French consultancy Systra has accused Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials of corruption and harassment, leading to the termination of their contract. The Bombay High Court overturned MMRDA's decision, prompting calls for an inquiry into the allegations.

French firm Systra, providing consultancy services for Mumbai's metro projects, has alleged corruption against officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The accusations come amidst the Bombay High Court quashing MMRDA's notice that terminated Systra’s contract with its Indian subsidiary.

In a letter on November 12, 2024, the French Embassy urged the Maharashtra government to investigate the matter thoroughly, citing grievances from Systra about experiencing 'severe harassment' while serving as a general consultant on MMRDA projects. Calls for an official inquiry have been made by political leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT).

Systra accuses MMRDA officials of demanding 'undue favours' and delaying payments, which have accumulated to Rs 30 crore, illustrating a significant conflict within these urban development initiatives. The Bombay High Court criticized MMRDA for discontinuing Systra's services without reason and called for a fair reassessment of the decision.