A year on, CM reminds PM of the promise

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reminding him about his promise to Mumbai. The PM had committed aid to improve the city’s infrastructure after unprecedented rains kept Mumbai under water almost for a week last year. After inspecting the effect of the deluge in July last year, he had assured a grant to improve the city’s century-old drainage system.

“It’s almost a year now, we are still waiting for the money,” a senior minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government said. Last week’s rains had been a wake-up call, and the situation can go out of hand if work on drainage projects is not started soon. Most of Mumbai was marooned last week when incessant rains made the city a huge pool.

This seems to have forced the CM to send a missive to the PM recalling his promises to the city. The letter, according to sources, politely enlists the promises made by the Centre to the state in helping Mumbai get back on its feet. It also highlights the difficulties being faced by the state government in the absence of promised financial help.

“The PM has been talking about changing Mumbai to Shanghai, but the city has been deprived of funds essential for fundamental infrastructure”, a source in the government said.

As reported in ET last week, the central urban development ministry has forwarded the Rs 1,800 crore Brihanmumbai Storm Water Drains Project to the Finance Minister for consideration under the National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM). The mission has been formed to spruce up civic infrastructure in 60 cities across the country. NURM conditions stipulate that the centre’s contribution will be limited to 35% of the total project cost. The remaining funds are to be brought in by the respective states and local agencies.