Mumbai: Bridge work not yet started, but cost doubles in 3 years

Here's the tale of a bridge between two cities. A very costly bridge. The estimated cost of building a bridge between Mumbai and Mira Bhayander, linking Dahisar and Mira Road has nearly doubled to Rs 3,303 crore over the past three years. Activists and politicians have asked why should only the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) pay, and not the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation or the state government and how can the cost of a bridge with same width and length nearly double in three years?

Interestingly, civic chief I S Chahal has written to the MMRDA seeking the cost of construction of the road within the limits of the BMC will be borne by it, and the cost of the project within the limits of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation will be borne by the MMRDA. An MMRDA Engineer-in-Chief had written to the CMO seeking a decision on sharing the cost of the project in Mira Bhayandar limit. MMRDA is awaiting the CMO response to get back to BMC. So, the BMC has stated in the proposal for the bridge that no decision has been taken yet by the MMRDA.

A graphic of the proposed bridge

According to the proposal which was passed by BMC last week, the estimated original cost of the Dahisar Mira Road connector was R1,998 crore, but the BMC is going now going to spend R3,303 crore. BMC officials said the cost includes maintenance, taxes and cost of rent for the casting yard for three years. The actual construction of 4.5 km which was quoted by the contractor is R1,957 crore while BMC will pay rent for the casting yard of R224 crore for three years.

‘We need answers'

Activists and politicians are not happy with the rising cost. Former Opposition Congress leader in the BMC, Ravi Raja asked why the project cost rose by nearly double, and said the BMC should declare all aspects of the tender. "Also, why is only BMC bearing the full cost of the project while it is between two cities? asked Raja.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Sanjana Ghadi asked why can't the state government fund this project. "BMC should utilise taxpayers' money only in the city. Why is it funding this whole project? The current state government wants to empty the kitty of BMC," Ghadi added. "BMC should declare the detailed reasons for cost escalation. It has an expert team of engineers, but why are they building such a costly bridge on their own?" asked activist Anil Galgali.

Activist Godfrey Pimenta said BMC has its own infrastructure and development needs within the city. "It is the sole funding provider for this project. But it is disproportionately allocating money to a project that primarily serves an area outside its jurisdiction. The regional bodies should collaboratively fund this project," Pimenta said.

MMRDA awaits response

According to a proposal passed during a meeting in the Urban Development Minister's chamber on December 12, 2021, it was decided that BMC should undertake this project on priority basis. After the meeting, civic chief I S Chahal wrote a letter to the Metropolitan Commissioner of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority on December 31, 2021. He wrote that the details of the project should be submitted and demanded that the cost of construction of the road within the limits of the BMC will be borne by it and the cost of the project within the limits of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation will be borne by the MMRDA.

The Commissioner of MMRDA replied to the civic chief's letter on February 11, 2022, that the in-principal approval for the cost of the project in Mira Bhayandar is a matter of policy. Thereafter the MMRDA Engineer-in-Chief tabled a proposal in the Chief Minister's Office on December 29, 2022, seeking a decision on sharing the cost of the project in Mira Bhayandar limit. MMRDA is awaiting a response from the CMO to communicate further with the BMC. BMC has stated in the proposal that no decision has been taken yet by the MMRDA.

Bridge details

Length of total road: 4.5 km
Elevated road: 3.83 km
Width: 45 metre
Lane: 4+4
Length in BMC limit: 1.48 km
Length in Mira Bhayandar Limit: 3.10 km
Starting point: Kandarpada , Dahisar West
End Point - Subhash Chandra Bose Garden, Bhayandar West

Rs 1,998 cr
Original cost of the bridge

Rs 3,303 cr
The escalated cost