Builder-Corporator-Civic officials nexus unacceptable: Devendra Fadnavis

THANE: Any unholy nexus between builders, Corporators and civic officials will not be tolerated in Maharashtra and strict action will be taken against those who flout norms or indulge in corruption, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today warned.

His comments came in the wake of suicide by prominent Thane-based builder Suraj Parmar, who killed himself earlier this month apparently due to slow pace of clearances from government agencies for his projects and harassment by local politicians, who allegedly demanded bribes from him.

"I would like to state that at any 'abdra yuti' (unholy alliance) between corporators, builders and civic officials - be it in Thane or any other civic body in Maharashtra - will not be tolerated," he warned.

Those indulging in corruption or flouting norms would be put behind bars without any hesitation, Fadnavis said.

The Chief Minister was here to take part in a series of functions in Mira-Bhayander township.

He said the work on third phase of Mumbai Metro - from Colaba in South Mumbai to SEEPZ in western suburb - would start soon.

Also, Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) has been asked to carry out a study on extending the metro line beyond Dahisar to cover Bhayander area in Thane district, Fadnavis said.

The report of DMRC is likely to come to us within a couple of months, he said.

By 2017, all the cities and towns in the state will be made free of open defecation, he said, adding adequate number of toilets would made available in these places.

During his visit, the Chief Minister performed 'bhoomi pooja' for a new administrative building of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), flagged off new buses and took part in other programmes.