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By Mustafa Shaikh: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and former minister Aaditya Thackeray alleged that gravel supply in Mumbai is stalled as contractors are being pressurised to buy at high rates. Gravel, which cost Rs 300 per ton, was being sold for Rs 400 to Rs 600 per ton. This has led to a stoppage of road and bridge work in the city.
Aaditya alleged that this was a separate tax which was being levied on contractors. Aaditya said that the central government and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari must intervene against this arbitrary administration, or else Mumbaikars will have to bear the brunt of poor and unfinished roads during the monsoons. Aaditya also said that if the works start late, the proposed cost of the works will increase.
Aaditya alleged that someone from the CM’s close circles had pressurised suppliers to supply through only one company, due to which the cost of gravel had gone up by more than 50% which in turn would lead to escalation in road and bridge costs.
He said, “Quarries and crushers have been hit with notices by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). So, the quarries are closed. These quarries have been forced to sell all the gravel to only one company who in turn will sell it to the contractors. All contractors have to buy sand and gravel from this company. But, this company is selling sand and gravel at unreasonable rates. So these works have stopped.”
Aaditya asked the BMC to clarify the new deadlines for road and bridge work. He said that crucial works like Lower Parel’s Delisle Road Bridge and other road works taken up by BMC won’t even be complete by the May 31 deadline. BMC officials remained unavailable for comments.
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