The Congress on Friday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra of orchestrating a scam worth Rs 10,000 crore in the Pune ring road project.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the project, estimated at Rs 10,087 crore, was approved with a budget of Rs 20,990 crore, more than double the original cost.

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Khera alleged that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) allotted work for eight projects, awarding four to two companies each, in violation of rules that allow only two packages per company. He said this was done to benefit companies in exchange for funds for the ruling party.

“The project was estimated at Rs 10,087 crore but Mahayuti approved a budget of Rs 20,990 crore which is more than double the cost. This is a huge scam and MVA will investigate and take legal action against those involved after coming to power,” Khera said.

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The Congress also alleged that the tender conditions were altered to favor contractors with tunnel construction experience, despite tunnel work comprising less than 10 per cent of the ring road project. Khera claimed the road’s construction cost is double that of similar projects by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and other state governments.

The accusations follow similar concerns raised by NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule and legislator Rohit Pawar over the inflated project cost.

Responding to the allegations, BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye dismissed them as baseless, urging Congress to present evidence in court. State BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar attributed the cost increase to material price hikes, project realignment, and suggestions from the Union Ministry of Roads. He also noted that issues related to land acquisition from farmers were resolved.

The Pune Ring Road project is being developed by the MSRDC, announced back in 2016, the project is designed to ease the traffic burden in the city’s core, cutting down on congestion and pollution while driving development in the suburbs.