Mumbai:
After blaming former Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta last week for the pathetic condition of Mumbai's roads, the Chairman of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Standing Committee, Rahul Shevale, sent his resignation to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday. The Standing Committee is the BMC's highest decision making body. Sources say Mr Shevale was embarrassed after the Shiv Sena Executive had to apologise for the pathetic condition of roads and that is why he submitted his resignation on moral grounds. Mr Thackeray, however, rejected his resignation.
He reportedly told Rahul Shevale, "This is not the time to resign. It is better to take charge and fulfill your responsibilities."
"I am with you, as I face the same problems as you do. I am no politician, I'm only a youngster trying to raise a voice and get things done. Having said this, there can be no excuse to providing our city with the best of facilities. I assure you, that with our effort, in another two years practically, we will have better quality of roads," said Yuva Sena President Aditya Thackeray.
Echoing the Bombay High Court's observations on the BMC's bidding system, Aditya Thackeray added "Sadly, in our country, by law, tenders are to be given to the lowest bidder who bids lower than the estimated cost. We expect the best quality from the lowest bidder. This is a practical difficulty, however with technical barriers, we expect better roads."
The BMC's own pothole tracking website has reported 16,000 potholes this year. This after Rs. 57 crore has been spent on pothole repairs. Three lives have been lost in pothole related accidents. However, for Mumbaikars it continues to be backbreaking and potentially killer ride on the city's roads.