3 hrs ago
Panvel Civic Body Faces Questions Over ₹40-Crore Drain-Cover Contracts
Panvel’s civic body approved four contracts for putting covers on inspection chambers and making small repairs.
The revised cost of these contracts is more than ₹40 crore.
The approvals cover work planned over two years.
Arvind Mhatre, the opposition leader, says the costs increased greatly from the original tender amounts.
He also says officials have not explained how many covers were installed.
The locations of the completed work have not been shared, according to Mhatre.
He wants a full account of the money spent.
He says a detailed investigation is needed so taxpayers can see how their money was used.
Revised estimates for four inspection-chamber cover and minor-repair works exceed ₹40 crore.
The contracts were approved for a two-year period at a June 22 Standing Committee meeting.
Leader of Opposition Arvind Mhatre says the revised values rose substantially from the original tender amounts.
Mhatre says the civic administration has not disclosed how many covers were installed or where.
He has sought expenditure details and a detailed inquiry into the works and alleged financial irregularities.
- Who
- Panvel Municipal Corporation and Leader of Opposition Arvind Mhatre.
- What
- Mhatre has questioned revised contracts for inspection-chamber covers and minor road and footpath repairs, seeking expenditure details.
- Where
- Panvel.
- When
- The revised estimates were approved on June 22 for a two-year period; the demand was reported on September 30, 2026.
- Why
- Mhatre alleges that spending may be unnecessary and says the administration must transparently account for public money and completed work.
Opposition and transparency concerns
Civic administration and approved works
Disclosure of work details
Opposition and transparency concerns
Arvind Mhatre says the administration has not provided the number and locations of installed covers despite complaints and requests.
Civic administration and approved works
The administration approved the revised estimates, but its explanation or response is not provided in the article.
Contract cost increases
Opposition and transparency concerns
Mhatre is questioning the substantial increase from the original tender values and alleges public money may be unnecessarily spent.
Civic administration and approved works
The revised estimates for the four works were approved by the Standing Committee; the article does not give the administration’s justification for the increases.
Need for investigation
Opposition and transparency concerns
Mhatre is seeking a detailed inquiry and says he will intensify his campaign if the requested information is not provided.
Civic administration and approved works
No separate position on an inquiry is reported from the civic administration.
Key facts
- Revised contract value
- The combined revised estimates for four works exceed ₹40 crore.
- Work covered
- Installation of inspection-chamber covers along roads and footpaths, plus minor repairs.
- Approval period
- Two years.
- Approval meeting
- Standing Committee meeting held on June 22.
- Opposition leader
- Arvind Mhatre.
- Information sought
- Expenditure, number of covers installed, locations, and details of executed work.
- Requested action
- A detailed inquiry into the contracts and spending.
Quotes
Arvind Mhatre
Leader of Opposition in the Panvel Municipal Corporation
“Citizens have been raising complaints about crores being spent in the name of drain covers.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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