The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised allegations of a Rs 64-crore financial scam linked to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s (VVCMC) dumping ground project. The party claims that the contractor and municipal officials have engaged in collusion, leading to significant irregularities in the project. In response to these allegations, the BJP is calling for the registration of criminal cases against those implicated in the scandal.
In 2023, the civic body awarded a contract to Sai Utility Private Limited to process 13 lakh tonnes of legacy waste accumulated at the dumping ground. The BJP alleged that the contractor claimed Rs 39 crore in bills without actually processing the waste. It further alleged that 17,000 brass of stone was excavated from a natural hill and sold under the guise of a material recovery facility (MRF) project, causing financial losses to the civic body.
The party also alleged irregularities in the transportation of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) generated from the waste, claiming that fake bills were submitted for transporting and selling the RDF to companies.
Leader of Opposition Manoj Patil demanded that cases of cheating and financial fraud be registered against the contractor and concerned officials, claiming that the civic body suffered a loss of Rs 64 crore in the alleged scam.
However, the contractor approached the high court and obtained a stay,” said Archana Dive, deputy commissioner (solid waste management), VVCMC. The contractor, Yadav of Sai Utility Private Limited, said the work of preparing transportation bills had been entrusted to a private company and that he had no role in the bills submitted by it. “We have cancelled the contractor’s contract. He claimed that the project was being carried out as per rules.