The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On Thursday, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya accused the government of not following proper tender procedures for a hoarding in Ghatkopar, which collapsed three days ago, resulting in 16 deaths. He claimed the hoarding owner earned over Rs 100 crore while the government received virtually nothing.
Somaiya alleged that Bhavesh Bhinde, owner of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, which managed the illegal hoarding, obtained permission through his close ties with MLA Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Somaiya detailed these claims in a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding a thorough investigation.
“The revenue from the hoarding exceeded Rs 100 crore, while the associated fuel station generated Rs 25 crore. The Maharashtra government received nothing substantial, only a few crores transferred to the Maharashtra police Kalyan Nidhi (welfare fund),” Somaiya stated.
The giant hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump during a dust storm on Monday evening, killing 16 people. Somaiya pointed out significant irregularities and a lack of transparency in the establishment of the petrol pump and the permissions granted to Ego Media for the hoarding.
“The hoarding and petrol pump were on land owned by the Government Railway Police. No tender process was followed in granting permission to Bhavesh Bhinde, who received it solely due to his proximity to Sunil Raut,” alleged Somaiya.
Furthermore, Somaiya uncovered irregularities in the tender process for three nearby hoarding sites. He claimed that three new sites had been identified near the collapsed hoarding, with plans for 12 new hoardings. “The entire tender procedure for these 12 hoardings is riddled with irregularities. The tender process was supposed to be for 10 years, but the work order was extended to 30 years,” he asserted.