The estimated cost of repairing flyovers along Mumbai’s Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) and the Swaminarayan Uddan Bridge in the eastern suburbs has risen by Rs 16.26 crore, taking the total expenditure from Rs 31.76 crore to Rs 48.03 crore, including applicable taxes.
According to the municipal administration, the increase follows the identification of worsening structural defects in different sections of the flyovers. Officials said the extent of damage had grown over the two years since the initial repair estimates were prepared, requiring additional rehabilitation measures to improve structural stability and extend the bridges’ service life.
The Bridge Department had prepared inspection reports and cost estimates for three flyovers in May 2023 before selecting a contractor to undertake the repair work. The original contract, valued at Rs 31.76 crore inclusive of taxes, covered the specified repair and rehabilitation activities. The contractor has also completed repair work on the Swaminarayan Flyover along the Eastern Express Highway.
However, a subsequent structural inspection in July 2025 by IIT professor Sauvik Banji reportedly found that defects affecting various bridge components had increased in both severity and extent. This assessment prompted a review of the repair requirements and the addition of further structural rehabilitation work.
The civic administration has maintained that the expanded scope of repairs became necessary because of the deterioration identified during the later inspection. The additional measures are intended to address the structural deficiencies and help improve the durability and safety of the affected infrastructure.
The proposed repair measures were also verified through the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), according to the report. The verification process contributed to the revised scope of work and the resulting increase in the contract value.
With the additional work included, the project’s cost has risen by Rs 16.26 crore, bringing the revised total to Rs 48.03 crore. The development highlights the financial implications of addressing structural deterioration in existing urban infrastructure, particularly when subsequent inspections identify defects that require more extensive intervention than initially anticipated.
Source: Prahaar
