CAG alleges irregularity in CIDCO projects during Fadnavis’ term

MUMBAI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised questions over infrastructure projects worth about Rs. 2,000 crore initiated by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) during the term of the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. Fadnavis refuted the allegations.

A CAG report tabled in the Maharashtra assembly by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar alleged irregularities in projects such as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), Nerul Uran Railway line and the Navi Mumbai Metro rail project. CIDCO comes under the urban development department, which was held by Fadnavis. The CAG faulted CIDCO for not recovering compensation of over Rs. 185 crore from 22 contractors for violating the tender conditions by not completing the works on time for the Rs. 4,759 crore Navi Mumbai Metro Rail project.



However, Fadnavis, now the leader of opposition, refuted the allegations. “The strictures pertaining to Navi Mumbai Metro rail and Nerul Uran railway line… all tenders and decisions were taken prior to our government taking over in 2014. In any case, the CIDCO is an autonomous body and none of the files or the decisions taken by it come to the chief minister,” he said.