Mumbai: Civic departments seek nod to hike costs for contracts

As per the proposals, additional costs in various projects, including for roads, bridges, nullahs and maintenance of schools, totals to over Rs 100 crore

With the BMC's tenure ending on March 7, the civic departments have sought clearance for extra spending on some ongoing contracts. The additional costs sought in various projects, including for roads, bridges, nullahs and maintenance of schools, totals to over Rs 100 crore. The standing committee is already flooded with more than 200 proposals filed over the past week, which is unusually higher than regular weekly 40-50 proposals.

Bridge on Poisar river

The bridge to be built on Poisar river would have cost Rs 23.84 crore, but the amount has increased to Rs 29.79 crore now. The proposal seeking the extra amount mentioned that due to technical difficulties and changes in the type of work, the cost of construction rose. The work of the bridge started in 2016 and it was supposed to be complete in 20 months. However, the deadline has been extended to 44 months with the completion target set in April.

Hancock bridge

The charge for the consultant hired for the construction of the Hancock Bridge in Sandhurst Road has increased by Rs 82.50 lakh. The overall contract has increased to Rs 4 crore from Rs 3.17 crore.

Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Rd

The project, worth Rs 713 crore, is complete. The contract was given in 2016 and the GST implemented in 2017. Now, the BMC has to pay an additional Rs 19.48 crore for GST to the contractor.

Road construction

The contract for concretising various roads in A ward, comprising Colaba and Fort, was awarded in 2019 at a cost of Rs 49.11 crore. Seven new roads were added to the contract later, increasing the project cost to Rs 6 crore. The civic administration said the cost has increased due to the change in the nature of repairs of roads and sidewalks in view of the area's heritage significance. In another contract given in 2019 for repairing roads in A, C and D wards, the cost has increased to Rs 41.87 crore from Rs 37.24 crore.

School maintenance

The contract for regular maintenance of schools expired in March 2019. The contract between April 2016 and March 2019 was for Rs 210 crore. The BMC has been extending the contract for a period of three to six months. The overall cost of the contract has reached Rs 380 crore, as the proposal sought extension of the contract till July 2022 for Rs 27. 73 crore to be paid to the same contractors.

Nullah construction

The work of construction and widening of Ramchandra nullah in Malad West was awarded for R30.38 crore in 2020. Now, the amount has increased by R6.61 crore because of additional work, as per the proposal sent by the administration.

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