The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued work orders earlier this week for the construction of a cable-stayed flyover between Madh and Versova, significantly increasing the project’s cost by 60 per cent in just six months.
Initially, in March, the BMC issued a Rs 1,800-crore tender for the project. APCO Infratech Private Limited won the bid with a Rs 2,029-crore proposal. However, with the recent updates, the final construction cost of the bridge has now increased to Rs 3,246 crore.
An official from the civic body told The Indian Express that the updated estimated cost of the project reflects changes in market rates, including increased “labour charges and material costs”.
“The timeline of completing this project is three years. Therefore, we have considered factors like rent of the casting yards, maintenance of the bridges for three years after construction and change in market prices of raw materials in the final cost, which made the overall cost go up by a certain margin,” the official said.
Ravi Raja accuses BMC of ‘looting public money’
Former Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the BMC and Congress leader Ravi Raja has criticised the civic body over the significant increase in the project’s cost. On social media platform X, Raja questioned, “An increase of roughly 1900 crores in one and half year? How can be this justified?.”
Another mega hike in infra project by @mybmc. This time it is the bridge that connects Versova creek and Madh. In January 2023 the project cost was 2038 crores and now it is increased to 3990 crores… An increase of roughly 1900 crores in one and half year? How can be this…— Ravi Raja INC (@ravirajaINC) September 11, 2024
He further accused the BMC of misusing public funds, stating, “It is sheer loot of public money. How can project cost can see rise of almost 95%?.”
Raja called on the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government to investigate the matter, adding, “The BMC thinks they are not accountable to anyone any more.”
About Madh-Versova cable bridge
The 2.06 km long cable-stayed bridge will provide all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time between Madh and Versova from an hour and a half to just 10 minutes. It will also ease traffic congestion in Andheri, Madh, Borivali, and Gorai in the western suburbs.
The distance between Madh and Versova is 21 to 22 km and, depending on the traffic flow, it takes at least an hour and a half to cover it. At present, Madh and Versova are also connected by a ferry service, in which passengers can also accommodate their two-wheelers, but this is not available during the rainy season.
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