The groundbreaking ceremony for the Ashray Yojana housing project, aimed at providing homes for conservancy staff at Cochin Street in Fort, was conducted in October 2024. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore, proposes the construction of 54 residential tenements, each measuring 238 sq ft. However, even 10 months after the ceremony, no construction work has begun. Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has written to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging the BMC to ensure the project moves forward without further delay.
Narwekar stated, “Beyond their vital role in keeping our city clean, the conservancy staff also play an important part in initiatives like deep clean drives. It is deeply disheartening that although the groundbreaking ceremony took place, the project has yet to commence. There is a growing perception that projects only gain momentum before elections to secure votes, which is unacceptable.” He added, “The work has been sanctioned under the Design & Build Turnkey tender for the redevelopment of Buildings 1 and 2. However, the silence and inaction since the tender process began indicate a lack of seriousness and commitment from the concerned departments. Such negligence not only undermines public trust in the administration but also sends a dangerous message that the welfare of conservancy workers is not a priority for the BMC.”
Narwekar urged the BMC to address the issue with urgency or face legal consequences. “These workers have toiled under challenging conditions for years, and such delays only reinforce systemic injustice. If immediate steps are not taken to commence the project on a war footing, we will be compelled to raise this matter vigorously across all appropriate platforms, including the courts.” Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner (Solid Waste Management) was not available for comment.
