Systra probe report has scathing observations against Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority officials, alleges NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar

Mumbai: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Sunday asked the urban development (UD) department, headed by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, to make public the probe report on the corruption allegations by French company Systra against Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).Pawar alleged that the report contains scathing observations regarding corruption involving certain MMRDA officials, and pointed out that it's been more than a year since Shinde had directed a probe into Systra's complaint, but it's still kept under wraps."Why this secrecy? It is learnt that the report contains scathing observations regarding corruption involving certain MMRDA officials. Suppressing the findings only deepens suspicion and damages the state govt's credibility internationally. This issue has not only tarnished the image of MMRDA and Maharashtra, but has also brought disrepute to the state globally. The government must immediately make the report public and take action against those responsible. I have asked the UD department to share the report with me to make it public. I will be taking up this issue in the monsoon session of the legislature," Pawar said in a post on X.He has written to additional chief secretary, UD department, Aseem Gupta, asking him to make the report public. MMRDA did not issue any response to Pawar's allegations on Sunday.In 2025, French major Systra had accused senior MMRDA officials of corruption, alleging that it was facing severe harassment and challenges in doing its work. Systra's complaint, routed through the embassy, highlighted its record in executing rail and Metro projects in India and said, "Since August 2023, Systra has been facing severe problems in its daily operations, escalating to the suspension of its payments due in January 2024."The French major said trouble began in August 2023 following a leadership shake-up at MMRDA. As general consultant for Mumbai's Metro Lines 5, 6, 7A, 9, 10, and 12, and detailed design provider for Lines 2A, 7, and associated depots, the company alleged that MMRDA officials began pressing for monetary benefits, which were thinly veiled as demands from higher-ups.The MMRDA had denied the allegations. In March 2025, Shinde directed Gupta to probe into the complaint and submit a report within 15 days.