19 February,2020 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta Kasale
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After giving permission for an escalation in the cost by Rs 138 crores and time extension of 15 months, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) just imposed Rs 40 lakhs fine for the delay of Ghatkopar - Mankhurd Link Road. The civic body has informed it in a written reply to corporators' question.
The work of the ambitious project of Ghatkopar-Mankhurd link road flyover (GMLR) has been delayed by over six months. Meanwhile, the BMC has given permission for cost escalation for the second time. Even the deadline extended for the second time. But after much pressure from activists and citizens the contractor has to pay Rs. 40 lakhs for the delay in the work.
The tender process of the 2.1 km-long-flyover had started in December 2016. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 313 crores with the time-frame of 30 months. After the Standing Committee's approval, the project was scheduled to be completed on July 1, 2019, at an actual cost of Rs 576 crores (37 per cent increase plus taxes). The BMC had given permission for the first cost escalation by Rs 56 crore and the deadline extended up to May 2020. Recently, in the last week, the standing committee approved the cost escalation and extension of the deadline. The cost has now escalated to Rs 714 crores due to plans of increasing the flyover's length and work has to be completed till October 2020.
Meanwhile, corporators raised doubts over the delay and cost escalation of the project. Prabhakar Shinde's said in the standing committee, "As per the general conditions of a contract, at least 90 per cent of the work has to be completed till date. But there even 60 per cent work has not been completed in the last 32 months. Has BMC imposed fine on the contractor for the delay?"
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In a written reply, the BMC administration mentioned that it has imposed Rs. 40 lakh fine on the contractor for the delay in the work. A BMC officer said that 80 to 90 per cent work has been completed as per the original contract and first changes.
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