BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani reviews the ₹13-crore JJ Flyover beautification project amid NOC controversy | X
Mumbai: The BMC’s Rs 13 crore beautification below JJ flyover has hit a road block with the traffic police confirming on Thursday that it has not given NOC. The project on a 2.1 km stretch below the flyover is embroiled in a major controversy with activists alleging that the it will only add to the acute congestion in the area. On Thursday, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited the site below JJ flyover to review the situation.
Pradnya Jedge, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) confirmed to the FPJ that the traffic department has not given its NOC for the project. “The BMC is carrying out the work without the mandatory NOC from us,” Jedge said on Thursday.
In a letter dated December 15, 2023, the then Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pravin Padwal had written to BMC’s additional commissioner (projects) requesting him to obtain an NOC from his department.
“We would like to bring to your attention the necessity of obtaining NOC from the traffic control branch for such beautification projects. Ensuring proper traffic flow and safety of pedestrians is of utmost importance and obtaining a traffic NOC will help coordinate efforts to minimize any potential impact on vehicles and pedestrian movements,” the letter said.
Local activist Kamlakar Shenoy slammed the project calling it a waste of public money and risking citizens’ safety. “The corporation is violating its own order passed in 1999 prohibiting any new structures below a flyover. Thus the structures, including the dummy double-decker BEST bus below the flyover are totally illegal.”
Kamlakar also questioned the high-handedness of the BMC in carrying out the beautification work without traffic NOC. “The structures obstruct pedestrian movement and cause inconvenience to motorists. Installing new structures is not beautification,” he said.
Meanwhile, local MLA Congress’ Amin Patel has demanded an inquiry from the Economic Offence Wing of the police against the public funds spent on the so-called beautification. “I had proposed for beautification like landscaping below the flyover costing Rs 2 to 3 crore. However, BMC came up with a project, appointed a consultant and Rs 10 crore was given to the contractor to carry out the beautification. The contractor now claims that 80% of the work is completed, however, the work is not visible. It is nothing but minting money.”
