Toll, flyover safety: MSRDC to appoint consultant for three years

The state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has invited bid for the appointment of consultant to act as independent engineer for three years for the securitisation of tolls at five Mumbai entry points, along with maintenance of flyovers and allied structures.

The consultant will conduct inspection of 27 flyovers under MSRDC's jurisdiction and submit a report for further action. Thereafter, MSRDC will rope in IIT-Bombay to further conduct technical audit and suggest recommendations to further strengthen those 27 flyovers situated in Eastern and Western Express Highways and Sion Panvel highway.

MSRDC's move assumes significance especially when concerns are expressed over the falling conditions of flyovers and rail-over bridges in Greater Mumbai. It comes at a time when audit of all structures that pass across railway tracks, including rail over and foot-over bridges, have been launched by IIT-Bombay, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, Central Railway and Western Railway after the collapse of Andheri bridge in July.

A MSRDC officer, who did not want to be identified, told DNA: "The consultant is appointed after every three year. However, in the present bid, a new clause is added, whereby the consultant will have to submit its report every six months after inspection of 27 flyovers and toll collection to both MSRDC and the agency, which is currently awarded contract for toll collection. The consultant is expect to visit these flyovers and check potholes, inter connection joints and road quality and suggest measures for upkeep."