Dharavi devp body backs panel charges

The letter also raised serious doubts about the consultant’s qualifications and experience and pointed out loopholes in the masterplan prepared by them. Taking cognisance of the letter,the state housing department had called for comments from the DDA as well as MM Consultants. Housing secretary Sitaram Kunte confirmed that his department has received the DDA’s reply recently.

The DDA has upheld a couple of allegations made by the committee. These include charges of conflict of interests and the need to have a re-look at the role of the consultants.

The reply points out that Mehta is an architect for four under-construction slum redevelopment projects in Dharavi and of these his son is a developer in one. It also goes on to state that the scope of work of the consultants should be modified so that work such as supervision of developers is carried out by MHADA-appointed engineers instead of giving these powers to the PMC.

Mukesh Mehta,who came up with the blueprint for the Dharavi makeover several years ago,was appointed as a project advisor through a government resolution of 2004. Later in November 2008,the cabinet-appointed committee of secretaries redefined Mehta’s role as the project management consultant along with widening the scope of his work.

The expert committee had also questioned the manner in which Mehta was appointed without calling for competitive bids.

“We are currently focusing on completing the bidding process for the DRP on July 20 and having a developer in place for each of the five sectors in Dharavi. After this is completed,we will look into the comments given by the DDA and the consultants in the light of the expert committee’s comments,” said Kunte,adding that the department would then decide on the further course of action.

Mehta said that he has already sent a detailed reply to the expert committee’s allegations.

“I have clarified that there is no conflict of interest as at the time of my appointment the government was fully aware of my being involved with the four projects. Besides,these projects fall in the excluded areas of the DRP,” he said.

Mehta also dismissed allegations of lack of transparency in his appointment. On his scope of work,he said,“It was the cabinet’s decision to appoint a committee of secretaries to determine what role we should have in the project when the agreement for appointing us as the PMC was signed last year.”