NCP seeks white paper on MMRDA performance

In a bid to corner Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, the NCP has sought a white paper on the performance of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) - a body functioning under the Urban Development Ministry, which is with the CM.

The demand for the white paper was made following a mishap at the Metro Rail site on Tuesday, which has left one person dead and 16 others injured when the slab of the site collapsed near Mumbai airport.

The NCP took an aggressive stance on the lack of safety in the projects implemented by the MMRDA during the State cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

It was Home Minister R R Patil who led the NCP onslaught on Chavan. Patil said the mishap occurred due to the shoddy work being carried out by the MMRDA. He said that MMRDA projects have been plagued by mishaps even in the past.

The NCP has now demanded a white paper on the works executed by the MMRDA as it was executing several mega projects in and around the city.

Patil took the opportunity to get back at Chavan, who, too, has been seeking white paper on departments run by the NCP ministries.