BJP MLC Prasad Lad on Friday alleged over Rs1,000 crore corruption over the desilting of the Mithi river, claiming irregularities in contracts awarded during the tenure of Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister.
He claimed that investigations by the BMC and the police are being deliberately misdirected. According to Lad, the probe is targeting only minor contractors involved in tenders worth Rs3-7 crore, while the main masterminds behind the scam remain untouched.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lad said that while the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police is probing a Rs65 crore scam in the desilting contracts, the real magnitude of corruption is being ignored.
Lad claimed that the BMC spent Rs250 crore in recent years to remove just 1.5 to 2 lakh tonnes of silt. “If you calculate the silt removed over 15 years, it amounts to nearly 30 lakh tonnes – enough to create a landmass the size of Navi Mumbai. But where was the silt actually dumped?” he asked, alleging that the officially designated dumping ground is now occupied by high-rises.
In a veiled reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, Lad remarked, “A ‘prince’ seems to be involved, but I won’t take names without evidence.”
Citing anomalies in documentation, the BJP leader said the records show vehicle numbers of two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws being used for silt transportation. “Even the weight of trucks wasn’t recorded,” he said.
Lad also slammed the BMC for using 'biomining' to clean the Mithi river with microorganisms, stating there is no data on the extent of cleaning or accountability.
He accused the civic body of inflating bills under the pretext of using foreign technology, alleging, “If something costs Rs100, it is rented for Rs2,000. Middlemen walk away with the profits.”
