Opposition councillors criticise the BMC government over a contract for an elevated tree path

Corproators from the BMC's Opposition parties slammed the BMC government over the increased Tree Walk contract during a Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday. BJP, Congress, and Samajwadi Party members of the BMC have demanded site visits to Kamla Nehru Park, where the BMC proposes to construct an elevated Tree Walk for tourists. At the standing committee meeting on Wednesday, the opposition parties expressed their concerns regarding the Tree Walk project's contracting procedure. In the Malabar Hill Forest patch and on the hill, the BMC government proposed building a one-kilometer Tree Walk. Only one bidder has indicated an interest in the project so far, and the firm is asking for 50 percent more money than the Tree Walk is expected to cost. According to the plan, the project will cost Rs.22.49 crores.

The Congress group leader, Ravi Raja, questioned the procurement process, saying, "This is the first time in five years that a contractor has asked for over 50% more money than was expected. Will BMC enlist the help of helicopters to move equipment and machinery? What is the purpose of distributing so much money?". The BJP's BMC group leader, Prabhakar Shinde, said, "As far as I can understand, there was no tendering procedure. The tendering procedure had been planned. The government only contacted one bidder and gave the contract to him. We'd like to visit the construction site to assess the risk of the project." Shinde also enquired about the work of the contractor.

Raees Shaikh, a Samajwadi Party Corporator, claims that "Due to a lack of money, several issues are impossible to advance. The administration should have spent the money on renovating the school and gardens instead." In response to the Corporators' allegations, Additional Commissioner   P Velarasu stated: "There is a danger in constructing the Tree Walk because the hill is susceptible and the contractor will be responsible for the ecosystem. Steel prices have climbed by 30 to 40% over the last few years, and specific types of wood must be imported for the project, resulting in a huge construction bill expense," he added. The Standing Committee eventually agreed to the idea.

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