A long-pending flyover extension project in Mumbai’s Goregaon has remained stuck in limbo for nearly eight years, with its cost rising sharply by 45%, drawing renewed scrutiny over delays in civic infrastructure execution in the country’s financial hub, according to a report.
The 750-metre extension of the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover, which aims to connect Goregaon to Ram Mandir along the Western Express Highway, was approved in 2018 with an initial outlay of Rs 170.82 crore and a planned completion timeline of two years.
However, the project’s estimated cost has now escalated to Rs 247 crore. A revised proposal reflecting the increased expenditure was recently placed before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation standing committee earlier this month.
Civic authorities indicated that construction is around 80% complete, with completion now expected by the end of April or mid-May.
The BMC attributed the prolonged delay to several constraints. “The work orders were issued in 2018, and the work could only begin by 2019. The flyover would pass above four key traffic junctions therefore the construction work could only be carried out in the night due to traffic congestion during the day. This left us with a limited timeline,” the BMC’s statement read.
Officials also cited disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly labour shortages, as well as design revisions prompted by concerns over access to nearby crematoriums and burial grounds. “For which we had to change to design and create an additional underpass to provide accessibility leading to cost escalation,” the BMC added.
The cost overrun has triggered criticism from opposition leaders. Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi called for an inspection of the site, stating, “It is shocking that instead of reprimanding the contractor, the BMC is rewarding them with cost escalation. There is no clear explanation for such a sharp increase despite the project remaining incomplete for eight years.”
A site visit for elected representatives has been scheduled for March 30.
Source: Swarajya
