Rs18.9 crore noise barrier contract given away without tender

A Right to Information activist has alleged that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has given away a contract worth Rs18.9 crore of installing noise barriers to a private firm without inviting bids, and at higher rates too.

These noise barriers are to be installed on three flyovers in the city, namely, Sion Hospital, King Circle-Tulpule Chowk and Hindmata.

"Neither was the work tendered, nor was any negotiation carried out to execute this specialised and sensitive work. Work was awarded to the contractor at highly inflated rates," claimed Anil Galgali, the RTI activist.

Speaking about the subject, an MMRDA official said, "Till date, we have not issued any work order for installing noise barriers at these bridges."

So far, MMRDA has installed noise barriers at places such as Dahisar road over bridge, Kalanagar in Bandra Kurla Complex, Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (outside IIT-B), etc.