MID-DAY IMPACT: Vile Parle flyover contractor to be penalised over uneven surface

Taking note of the deteriorating surface of the Vile Parle flyover, which was opened six months ago, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has said it would act against the contractor concerned.

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee stated, "Officials have been directed to impose penalties on the contractor responsible for the newly constructed domestic airport flyover on the Western Express Highway."

On Sunday, when this correspondent revised the spot around 1 pm, the upper layer of the stretch appeared uneven. Fine particles had come off, posing a threat
to motorcyclists.

The previous day, Mumbai North Central MP Varsha Gaikwad posted about the issue on X. "Vile Parle flyover to ease traffic towards the airport - inaugurated in March, already in bad shape! The #KhokeSarkaar model of development (sic)," she posted. Several irate motorists also took potshots at the authorities on
social media.

No lessons learnt

mid-day first highlighted the sorry state of the flyover in July. The MMRDA had taken cognisance of motorists' complaints, posting on X on July 23, "During our regular site inspection at the T1 flyover, we observed concerns about potholes and road surface at Vile Parle. Immediate action was taken by alerting the contractor and the project management consultant. Dr Mukherjee, IAS, ordered an explanation and issued show-cause notices. Also, penalties were imposed on the contractor and PMC due to negligence. The contractor rectified the surface, using mastic to repair the damaged portion. Good news! The area has been fully remediated. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

ExpertSpeak

Transport expert Jitendra Gupta said, "Please publish in bold letters the names of the defaulting contractor, government supervisor, chief road engineer of the government agency, his subordinates, assistants and every individual who was responsible for supervising the work. Until they all are named and shamed, things will never improve."

Another expert, A V Shenoy, said, "The main reason for the bad condition of the flyover's surface is awarding the tender to the contractor without considering their capabilities and past performance. Inadequate supervision by road engineers and rushing to meet the inauguration deadline, sacrificing workmanship, are also to blame. A road needs to be opened only after due inspection and quality checks. Independent auditors with adequate experience must ensure roads comply with Indian Roads Congress specifications."

The structure

The flyover was constructed to improve the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport domestic terminal (T1) junction. The MMRDA claimed that the flyover's inauguration would open up a new and effective route to ease the movement of traffic headed towards Bandra from the international airport, and from Andheri to the T1 terminal in Vile Parle, thereby preventing traffic congestion, reducing pollution and promoting passenger safety on the Western Express Highway.

The construction of the flyover witnessed the implementation of various innovative procedures, including the use of steel and PSC girders and a groundbreaking technique called the inverted T arrangement.

Construction work on the 790-metre project started in June 2021 at a provisional sum of R48.43 crore. The MMRDA decided to construct the two-lane flyover as motorists coming via the Sahar elevated road and going towards Bandra via the WEH got stuck in traffic near the domestic airport flyover signal.

With the construction of the new flyover, which is adjacent to the existing domestic airport flyover, motorists can bypass the signal, saving time.

790 m
Length of flyover