Thane: The Kopri Waterfront development, a flagship project under the Smart City Mission, has fallen into alarming disrepair just two and a half years after its completion, triggering sharp criticism from Thane Congress chief spokesperson Rahul Pingle. He has called for an immediate investigation into alleged corruption, substandard construction, and gross negligence, claiming taxpayer money worth crores of rupees has been wasted.
The ambitious project along the Kopri creek, intended to provide citizens with a modern recreational space, included toilets, an amphitheatre, landscaped gardens, parking areas, renovated jetty roads, a designated space for historical cannons, and a ghat for Dashakriya rituals. However, most amenities now lie in ruins: fractured amphitheatre seating, misplaced cannons, damaged gardens, and dilapidated toilets starkly reveal the scale of neglect.
Addressing the issue, Rahul Pingle stated, “In just two and a half years, the project has collapsed, exposing poor quality work and rampant corruption. The contractors must be blacklisted and officials held accountable. Taxpayer funds cannot be wasted in such a manner.” He has formally written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding stringent action and a high-level inquiry.
The controversy adds to mounting concerns over Smart City Mission projects in Maharashtra, with prior allegations prompting the Union Urban Development Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, to order investigations into irregularities in urban development projects.
The Kopri Waterfront initiative, envisioned as a 10.58 km recreational corridor with jogging tracks, cycling paths, promenades, and public seating, was approved by the High Court in 2019. The project aimed to create vibrant, accessible public spaces for community recreation. While the development was planned in phases, the rapid deterioration of the first phase raises serious questions about oversight, project management, and the quality of construction.
