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Journalism of Courage
A day after water gushed into the newly opened underground Metro station, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray asked why the Maharashtra government was hesitant in taking action against the Turkish firm Dogus that had constructed the stretch between Mumbai Central to Worli in association with Indian firm Soma.
Hardly 17 days after its inauguration, services on the city’s first underground Metro were hit on Monday owing to floodwater gushing into the Metro stations. Passengers reported water cascading down the steps into the Acharya Atre Chowk station like a waterfall. The stations had been built by the consortium of Dogus-Soma.
“Why shouldn’t Dogus be suspended like Celebi Airport Services? Isn’t it a matter of national security?” Aaditya said.
He also cited a Safety Commissioner’s report that allegedly mentioned 713 cracks in Phase 2 of Metro Line 3 and questioned how the line was inaugurated despite these concerns. “We demand compensation for Mumbaikars whose shops and homes were inundated,” he said.
Raut echoed the criticism, alleging corruption in Metro project contracts and calling the early inauguration of the underground Metro a publicity stunt. “The Metro work wasn’t complete but was rushed for publicity. Around Rs 1,500 crore was allegedly taken from contractors as commission, and now it has gone down the drain,” he said, blaming the state government, the administration, and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde.
He further alleged that Rs 35,000 crore collected as ‘commission’ from BMC contractors is now being used to lure corporators for political gain. “They’ve been in power for over three years—why weren’t the drains cleaned before monsoon?” Raut asked.
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Balasaheb Thackeray and Operation Sindoor, Aaditya said: “Mumbaikars want answers—why has the BJP brought Mumbai to this state? Thousands of hectares are damaged, yet farmers receive no help. Why are cities like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune being ignored?”
Meanwhile, Shinde-led Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske hit back, claiming the Thackerays and UBT have no moral authority to criticise Shinde.
Mhaske alleged large-scale corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic under the UBT-led BMC. “As Thane Mayor, we bought body bags at ₹350. BMC bought them for ₹7,000. The difference is clear,” he said.
Mhaske also contrasted UBT’s past alliance with Congress to Shinde’s current stature. “During the MVA era, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi made UBT leaders wait outside. Today, Shinde had the honour of congratulating PM Modi and the Army at the NDA meeting.”
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