A major political controversy has erupted over alleged corruption in excavation work linked to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, with the Maharashtra government stating it will recover ₹496 crore from the concerned firm if the allegations are proven true.
Replying to the charges in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, state Industries Minister Uday Samant said the government would take strict action and ensure recovery of the amount if it is established that the firm failed to deposit royalty payments due to the state.
Allegations Raised by Anil Parab
The issue was raised during a discussion under Rule 260 by Anil Parab, who alleged that the company involved in the excavation work had caused massive financial losses to the state exchequer.
According to Parab, the firm excavated approximately 1.05 crore brass of soil and other material during construction-related activities but paid royalty for only 22 lakh brass.
He claimed that this discrepancy resulted in an estimated ₹496 crore loss to the state government.
Parab also questioned who was protecting the company involved in the project and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
Allegations of Illegal Quarries
Apart from the royalty dispute, Parab also alleged that nearly 100 illegal quarries were operating in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas.
He said these unauthorized quarrying operations were contributing to significant revenue losses for the state government and demanded strict action against those responsible.
The opposition leader urged the government to investigate both the excavation work related to the airport project and the alleged illegal quarrying activities.
Government Assures Action if Irregularities Found
Responding to the allegations, Samant rejected the claims of corruption but assured the House that the government would not hesitate to act if any wrongdoing was confirmed.
He stated that if it is found that such a large amount of royalty had not been deposited with the state, the government would recover the ₹496 crore from the firm concerned.
The minister also said authorities would verify the excavation figures and royalty payments before taking any further action.
The controversy has brought fresh political attention to the construction work at the Navi Mumbai International Airport project, which is considered one of Maharashtra’s most significant infrastructure developments aimed at easing congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
