Make in India week to cost BMC Rs 10 crore

The Central government's Make in India week, that is going to be held at BKC in February, is going to cost the BMC Rs 10 crore. The sum includes allowing slots for about 80 hoardings across the city that will have advertisements for the events.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be at the event

The other expenses include road and footpath beautification, creation of brand logos, painting and production of other material.

There will be a separate slot for a Make in Mumbai seminar. But skeptics are asking what permanent provisions will Mumbai gain out of these Rs 10 crore?

Narendra Modi. File pics

The Make in India week is from February 13 to 18. It is aimed at attracting investments for all states, and will have a large number of investors coming from around 30 countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to be in the city for the event. The state government is set to push its Make in Maharashtra programme through it.

Since the state government is organising the event with the help of the BMC, civic officials are on overdrive preparing for the event.

A proposal was brought forth in the group leaders' meeting last month. According to it, ‘The BMC will decide on the various venues for the event, will make budgetary provisions, will do printing, painting, creation of logos, models, artworks, symbols etc These will be manufactured and developed by the BMC. Besides, it will also make open space available for the event… Organising this event is expected to cost approximately Rs 10 crore.'

The proposal was passed by the group leaders at the time and is expected to come before the Standing Committee this month. "We have given our approval for the proposal since it will boost investment in the city. But the condition is that the BMC should be considered one of the organisers and its logo should be put on the banners," said Sandeep Deshpande, MNS leader.

What will city gain?
Congress leader Devendra Amberkar demanded to know what the city has to gain from the expenditure.

"I don't mind if we spend on the event but what permanent provisions is the city getting out of it? Are they making any new roads or footpaths? R10 crore may not be much but it can be put to use for developmental work."

Prashant Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner, H/East ward (under which the venue falls), said, "There are no instructions to construct any new roads. We have just been asked to speed up wherever roadwork is going on. Routine maintenance work will be undertaken."