Standing committee stalls BMC’s development plan around Metro Line 3 stations

The civic body had proposed surveying areas within a 500-metre radius of the stations to implement Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

THE BMC’s proposal to prepare local area plans around 27 stations of the Colaba–SEEPZ Metro Line 3 was stalled on Wednesday, with the standing committee flagging “lack of transparency” and asking that the work be handled by MMRDA.

However, corporators across parties objected to the proposal, citing the absence of a tendering process and questioning the costs.

“No transparency was maintained in the project.

At present, the BMC is under financial strain… This work should be carried out by the MMRDA, who is already undertaking works on the Metro project,” said Congress leader Ashraf Azmi.

AIMIM corporator Zameer Qureshi said similar surveys around Delhi Metro stations were conducted at significantly lower costs of Rs 20–22 lakh.

Shiv Sena’s Yamini Jadhav questioned the rationale of assigning the work to the BMC.

“If this work is also carried out by the BMC, then what is the role of MMRDA?” she said, adding that the administration had not presented details of the plan.

Congress corporator Tulip Miranda also questioned the timing.

“The 27 metro stations have already been executed.

Then what is the purpose of preparing such local areas plans now?” she said.

Following the objections, standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde declared the proposal “not taken”, effectively putting it on hold.

Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau.

While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents.

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