Ajit Pawar yet to get a clean chit in Balganga dam project, says ACB

MUMBAI: With the agencies starting the barricading of certain stretches on the Western Express Highway (WEH), the work on the Dahisar Eastandheri East Metro-7 is likely to commence soon. Moreover, construction of the phase-1 of Metro-2 — Dahisar-dn Nagar route (2A) — is expected to begin soon.

With these two projects entering execution mode, the state has decided to take up two more lines. According to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials, proposals for DN Nagar-bandramankhurd route (2B) and Wadala-thane-kasarvadavli Metro-4 will be submitted before the Cabinet for approval

Once approved, the MMRDA will float tenders for construction. It has been learnt that the MMRDA is mulling to extend the Metro-2 uptil Mira Roadbhayander.

“The proposals will be tabled during a Cabinet meeting in a week’s time,” said UPS Madan, commissioner of MMRDA.

The PM is likely to do bhoomipujan for the metro lines during his visit to the city in October. Incidentally, Modi had laid the foundation stone for Metro-2a and Metro-7 last October. While the state has planned to develop over 172-km metro network in and around the city in next four years’ time, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is funding the fund Metro-2a and Metro-7, has shown interest in providing assistance to Metro-2b and Metro 4 MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former water resources minister Ajit Pawar is yet to be given a clean chit in the Balganga dam case and the agency is likely to file a supplementary charge sheet, according to sources in the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB).

Sources said that the ACB is awaiting certain documents from the state secretariat, following which the future course of action will be decided. The auxiliary charge sheet does mention Pawar’s name, stating that roles of those named before are being probed.

“We are awaiting certain docu underway and we are in consultation with chartered accountants and lawyers. We filed a charge sheet, as it was a year since an FIR was registered and based on the evidence available against the ten accused. We are also trying to determine Pawar’s involvement in the case, if any, as he was the minister then,” said a high-ranking officer privy to the investigation.

Pawar was questioned by the resources minister for nearly a decade from 1999 and had allegedly cleared cost escalations of 32 irrigation projects that rose over Rs17,000 crore. Following allegations of corruption, Pawar quit the cabinet only to return within three months.

Sources stated the ACB is scanning a few others and three agencies, which could be nailed in the future if the agency secures