Ahmedabad Mayor Kanaji Thakor on Tuesday termed Leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil’s press release on JnNURM allocation for Ahmedabad BRTS project misleading.

“Opposition leader’s statement that the development works under central government’s JnNURM scheme are carried out only by central government money is misleading,” said Mayor Kanaji Thakor.

Clarifying the details of BRTS financial allocations, the leader of BJP in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) Dr. Kamlesh Patel said: “As Ahmedabad falls under Megacity category, the central government gives only 35% grant of total project cost approved under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JnNURM). Rest of project expenditure is beared by the state government (15%) and AMC(50%).

Patel further states: “It should be mentioned here that the central government never bears burden of any hike in project cost or price escalation which is usual in such projects. It is the AMC that bears this huge extra burden. When tenders are floated the real cost of the project actually comes 20 to 30% higher than what is approved by the central government.”

“Effectively, the central government has given only 20 to 25% financial contribution for Ahmedabad BRTS project. This means, majority of the cost has been beared by the AMC and Gujarat government,” he added.

Providing more specific details about the expenditure sharing, Asit Vira, Standing Committee Chairman of AMC said: “Under JnNURM, the central government contributed about Rs. 26 crore while the government of Gujarat and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation have contributed Rs 78 crore for the first phase of BRTS.”

“AMC is however thankful to government of India for its 35% contribution,” Vora concluded.

What Gohil had said yesterday

The leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil was unhappy as he was not among the invitees for inauguration of BRTS. Gohil accused Chief Minister Modi of taking all credit for BRTS project.

Gohil complained to the press that the hoardings and advertisement issued for inauguration of BRTS project does not mention that funds were given under JNNURM. He said it was necessary to put JNNURM logo but government had not done so.

Congressman, Centre official are invited

Name of Congress corporator Surendra Bakshi who is a leader of opposition in AMC has been mentioned in the invitation card of BRTS inauguration. Also central government’s joint secretary’s name is there in the invitation card.