The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved the diversion of Rs 90 crore from unspent funds allocated for the Mithi River and other water body improvement projects to finance the extension of the Ghatkopar–Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR) flyover. The decision has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who have raised concerns over financial planning and called for a detailed audit of fund transfers.
Out of the Rs 150 crore earmarked for river widening and desilting in the 2025–26 financial year, only Rs 10 crore has been utilised so far. The civic body now plans to redirect ₹90 crore from the remaining Rs 140.62 crore towards the flyover extension connecting to the Sion-Panvel Highway near Vashi.
During the Standing Committee meeting, Congress leader Ashraf Azmi demanded that the proposal be formally recorded and called for a three-year audit of inter-departmental fund transfers, alleging poor fiscal discipline. BJP corporators Shital Gambhir and Priti Satam also supported the demand for transparency, with Satam highlighting recurring infrastructure issues along the Oshiwara River.
Civic officials defended the move, citing utilisation deadlines. Additional Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma stated that payments to approved contractors for the Mithi River project had already been cleared, while funds tied to blacklisted contractors remained unused. He warned that any unspent allocation would lapse if not utilised before the end of March.
Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde approved the proposal but directed the administration to consider suggestions raised by members.
The GMLR flyover extension project includes two arms—a 1,473-metre stretch towards Vashi and a 1,930-metre return arm—built using a steel-composite structure. Estimated at Rs 1,051 crore, the project aims to ease congestion at the busy Maharashtra Nagar junction in Mankhurd. However, with only Rs 344 crore currently available, the BMC plans further fund reallocation to bridge the gap.
Source: The Free Press Journal
