The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee has approved the appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the proposed Rs 3,304 crore Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road, a critical component of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project. The decision came after an intense discussion among corporators over the project’s funding structure and financial implications.
The planned corridor comprises a 5.6-km elevated road, approximately 45 metres wide, connecting Dahisar (West) in Mumbai with Bhayander (West) in neighbouring Thane district. Once completed, the link is expected to reduce travel time between Versova and Bhayander by 30 to 45 minutes and ease congestion on the heavily used Western Express Highway.
A consortium comprising Nippon Koei India Pvt Ltd and Kite Allied Services Pvt Ltd has been selected as the PMC for the project at a cost of Rs 52.5 crore. The joint venture will be responsible for overseeing project execution, quality assurance, technical compliance and construction management throughout the estimated 42-month implementation period.
During the committee meeting, opposition members raised concerns regarding the financial burden of the project, arguing that Mumbai residents should not be solely responsible for funding infrastructure that extends beyond the city’s administrative boundaries. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Yashodhar Phanse sought a detailed breakdown of costs attributable specifically to the Mumbai section before granting approval.
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi also questioned the tendering process after only one bidder remained in contention. “This is a prestigious infrastructure project. The state government should be convinced to bear a major share of the cost. The corporation’s liabilities are already enormous, while the MMRDA’s primary mandate is infrastructure development. There should be complete transparency in such proposals,” Azmi said.
Supporting the project, Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar stated, “We must assess such projects on their long-term benefits, not short-term objections.”
Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar noted that the project forms part of the city’s approved Development Plan. “The alignment passes through creek areas, making it a technically complex project, and the cost estimates have been validated through detailed rate analysis and review by the Technical Analysis Committee,” he added.
Following deliberations, the proposal was approved through a majority vote by the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, paving the way for the next phase of project implementation.
Source: Swarajya
