BJP Corporator Demands Demolition of Rs 1.65 Crore Colaba Toilet

BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has demanded the immediate demolition of an allegedly illegally constructed "aspirational" toilet located opposite Lion Gate in Colaba, Mumbai. In a move targeting civic administration, the local representative has also called for the immediate suspension of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials who approved the controversial project.

The demands were raised in a letter sent by Narwekar to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. The letter was prompted by the BMC recently submitting an official inquiry report on the matter to the Urban Development Department of Maharashtra, which has also been tabled in the state legislature.

According to Narwekar, the civic body had originally proposed a footpath measuring between 0.9 and 1.5 metres in width for pedestrians at the Colaba site. He stated that by permitting the construction of the toilet on this designated space, the BMC has effectively admitted to violating its own "Pedestrian First" policy.

The corporator stated that the newly built structure amounts to a serious encroachment on the space meant for pedestrians. He has demanded that the "aspirational" toilet be demolished immediately and that the footpath opposite Lion Gate be fully restored to its original condition.

Furthermore, Narwekar raised serious concerns over the use of public funds for the project, alleging that around Rs 1.65 crore was spent on the construction of the toilet. He has demanded that this entire project cost of Rs 1.65 crore be recovered from the personal salaries and assets of the civic officials who are found guilty of sanctioning the work.