The civic administration is responsible for making all the arrangements—painting and cleaning of roads, dividers on the marathon route, keeping the way hurdle-free, disaster management chowkies, toilets and soild waste management during the event. While Procam International organises the events under its aegis and numerous private corporate houses and NGOs benefit from the marathon, corporators said that the people are not aware that it is the civic body that helps in making the marathon a success.

“Even the boards announcing the marathon have just the sponsors’ name, while in one corner there is a BMC symbol as supporters of the event. Why should we take this treatment when we do not even benefit from the marathon. The recovery of amount is justified,” said Colaba corporator Vinod Shekhar who has been demanding for the recovery of the money and even a separate marathon to be organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Procam International confirmed receiving the letter. “We are surprised about the letter and the amount as it is for the first time that the BMC has done so,” said Vivek Singh, Joint MD, Procam. “We will soon be holding a meeting with the civic officials to know why they have done so. Marathon is an international event and portrays Mumbai globally so why should the the civic body ask for recovery of money,” he added.