A detailed petition supported by RTI records, complaint letters, and field observations—filed by senior journalist Brahmanand R. Tiwari, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of EX7 News—has put CIDCO under serious scrutiny over alleged corruption, financial irregularities, and suspected substandard construction in several high-value projects in Navi Mumbai’s Kharghar region.
The petition, addressed to CIDCO’s Chief Engineer and copied to the ACB, CBI, CVC, CAG, and senior Maharashtra government officials, calls for an independent investigation into contracts awarded to M/s Capacite Infraprojects Ltd. for:
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Kharghar Bus Terminal – Phase 2
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Kharghar Bus Depot – Phase 1
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Multiple PMAY housing projects
The petition accuses CIDCO of procedural lapses, opaque tendering, and repeated violations of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Financial Red Flags Cited in Petition
Attached documents highlight multiple credit-rating downgrades of Capacite Infraprojects Ltd., including:
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IND BBB+ → IND BB+
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Placed on negative watch
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Temporary downgrade to IND D (default)
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Shift from India Ratings to a lower rating by Infomerics in 2024
The petitioner argues that these financial indicators should have triggered heightened due diligence before CIDCO awarded or continued major public contracts worth crores.
CIDCO has not issued any official response to these concerns so far.
Field-Level Concerns: Quality, Delays, and Safety Issues
The petition alleges that multiple site inspections by journalists and local residents revealed alarming issues, including:
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Suspected use of below-standard materials
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Incomplete or delayed construction
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Deviations from approved structural plans
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Environmental and safety concerns
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Complaints of intimidation by contractor staff
Citizen groups and local political representatives have reportedly raised similar concerns.
These allegations remain unverified pending official investigation.
RTI Non-Compliance Flagged as a Major Issue
Mr. Tiwari states in his petition that several RTI applications seeking:
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Audit reports
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Tender details
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Inspection records
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Material-testing data
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Financial disclosures
were either ignored, partially answered, or transferred without resolution.
He argues that CIDCO’s pattern of non-response violates Sections 4(1)(b) and 7(1) of the RTI Act and suggests deliberate withholding of information related to taxpayer-funded projects.
Demand for CBI/ACB Inquiry and Suspension of Payments
The petition seeks:
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A CBI, CVC, or ACB-led investigation
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Immediate suspension of payments to the contractor until audits confirm compliance
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Public disclosure of all tender and inspection records
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Action against CIDCO officials allegedly involved in lapses
The petition also alleges that several CIDCO engineers ignored calls, letters, and clarifications on bills and supervision-related issues.
CIDCO has not publicly addressed these claims.
Separate Complaint Against CIDCO Officer H.M.S. Munshi
In a related complaint, Mr. Tiwari has sought action against CIDCO official H.M.S. Munshi, citing:
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Non-cooperation with RTI queries
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Alleged irregularities in bill clearances
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Safety concerns over excavation and structural work
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Failure to supervise ongoing projects
No official response has been issued by the officer or CIDCO.
EX7 News Requests Access for On-Site Investigation
EX7 News has formally requested CIDCO to allow access to:
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Construction sites
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Structural and material-test records
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Contractor facilities
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Safety compliance documents
Mr. Tiwari stated the investigation is part of “watchdog journalism” to ensure transparency in public infrastructure.
He has indicated that findings will be published if CIDCO does not cooperate.
CIDCO Yet to Clarify
Despite multiple letters—including one registered under
UT-MH-1799799/2021/CIDCO-I (FTS.3159977)—CIDCO has not issued a detailed public clarification regarding:
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Financial concerns
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Quality-control documentation
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Tendering transparency
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RTI non-compliance
The matter has also been escalated to:
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Prime Minister’s Office
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Chief Minister of Maharashtra
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Comptroller & Auditor General
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Anti-Corruption Bureau
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Central Bureau of Investigation
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Central Vigilance Commission
Why This Matters: Public Infrastructure, Accountability, and Safety
The allegations raise serious public-interest questions:
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Were tender norms fully followed?
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Do these structures meet safety and quality standards?
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Are CIDCO’s monitoring mechanisms effective?
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Are citizens’ RTI rights being honoured?
Navi Mumbai’s rapid development has long drawn calls for stricter transparency and independent auditing of large public projects.
Authorities must now examine the petition, evaluate the provided documents, and determine whether an independent inquiry is warranted.
For now, these remain allegations pending scrutiny, but they shine a spotlight on a broader issue:
How accountable and transparent are Maharashtra’s urban development bodies when handling public money?
EX7 News says it will continue tracking the issue through RTI, field reporting, and investigative follow-ups.
