The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) could face an estimated Rs 75.55-crore expenditure as three major flyovers currently under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) are proposed to be transferred to the civic body for repairs and maintenance.
The Vashi, Nerul and CBD-Kokan Bhavan flyovers are among 34 MSRDC structures in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai that the state government plans to hand over to respective municipal corporations as part of a broader maintenance strategy.
The move comes after light vehicles, school buses and state transport buses were exempted from tolls at five entry points to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in October 2024. The toll-free arrangement covers the Vashi, Mulund on LBS Marg, Mulund on the Eastern Express Highway, Airoli and Dahisar toll plazas.
While the exemption has reduced the financial burden on motorists, questions have emerged over the upkeep of road infrastructure previously supported through toll-related arrangements.
Rs 75.55 Crore Proposed for Repairs
According to senior civic engineering officials, the three Navi Mumbai flyovers will require structural repairs, concreting, resurfacing and improvement of connecting roads.
The estimated expenditure includes Rs 55.21 crore for structural repairs and around Rs 20.34 crore for other works, including asphalting, taking the overall projected cost to ₹75.55 crore.
MSRDC has written to the NMMC directing the civic body to initiate the required process for taking over the structures. The detailed proposal seeking approval for the expenditure has been placed before the civic general body by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde.
The municipal corporation will also have to bear the recurring costs of maintenance and repairs after the transfer, adding to its long-term financial obligations.
State Seeks Unified Maintenance Framework
The state government has reportedly decided to transfer maintenance responsibility for 34 MSRDC flyovers across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai to the respective local authorities.
The move follows a review of maintenance arrangements after the toll exemption. Officials observed that the existing concession framework did not adequately provide for regular upkeep of certain flyovers and roads, with monsoon-related potholes and surface deterioration becoming recurring concerns.
Thane Creek Bridges Excluded
NMMC, however, will not take responsibility for the two flyovers associated with the Thane Creek crossing near the Vashi toll plaza.
These structures had initially been considered for transfer to the civic body. However, officials later determined that the bridges lie outside NMMC’s administrative limits. As a result, their repair and maintenance costs will not be passed on to the Navi Mumbai civic authority.
The proposed transfer of the three flyovers highlights the changing financial responsibilities for major road infrastructure following the toll exemption. For NMMC, the immediate issue will be securing approval and funding for the Rs 75.55-crore repair programme, followed by meeting the recurring maintenance costs once the structures formally come under civic control.
Source: Loksatta
