October 25, 2025: A financial disagreement of Rs 59 crore has surfaced between Western Railway (WR) and the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (Maharail) over the reconstruction of the Elphinstone Road (now Prabhadevi) Road Over Bridge (ROB), which has been shut to vehicular traffic since September 12 due to safety concerns. The century-old bridge is being dismantled and rebuilt on the same alignment as part of the Sewri–Worli Connector project, aimed at ensuring safe movement for both vehicles and trains.
While the cost of reconstructing the railway portion of the bridge is estimated at Rs 40 crore, WR has demanded Rs 59 crore from Maharail towards codal, wayleave, and maintenance charges. Maharail has termed the amount “exorbitant,” arguing that the figure exceeds the actual construction cost of the railway segment. Citing Railway Board norms, Maharail stated that charges should be limited to 2% for plans and estimates, and 6.25% for supervision — applicable only to the portion supervised by Railway officials. Based on this, Maharail calculated its payable dues at approximately Rs 3.3 crore.
A major contention is WR’s demand for Rs 36.1 crore as wayleave charges. Maharail has objected, noting that “this is not a new or commercial structure but a reconstruction undertaken for public safety.” It has also referred to Railway Ministry circulars from 2001, 2014, and the 2022 Master Circular on Land Management, which allow Divisional Railway Managers to waive wayleave charges for government or public utility projects that benefit railway operations.
Additionally, Maharail has opposed WR’s proposed maintenance fee, stating that such charges should be based on actual expenditure rather than fixed sums. The corporation maintains that the new bridge’s extended span and design improvements serve both public and railway interests, warranting charge relaxation under existing norms.
Source: The Times of India
