The gross delays in completing the city’s east-west bridges has cost the state exchequer a bomb with the cost estimate for both the roads going up by a total of Rs242 crore.
The gross delays in completing the city’s east-west bridges has cost the state exchequer a bomb with the cost estimate for both the roads going up by a total of Rs242 crore.
The state government has now appointed a committee led by NV Merani to investigate the delay.
A recent RTI filed by city activist Anil Galgali has revealed that the cost of the Santa Cruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) has exceeded by Rs139.8 crore, and the cost of the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) has exceeded by Rs102.05 crore more than the original estimated cost. Moreover, both roads are five to seven years behind their original completion schedules.
A campaign launched by DNA and supported by citizens last year gave the necessary push to authorities to begin work on the incomplete bridges.
Giving details of the Santa Cruz Chembur Link Road, an Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) document revealed that work on the project was to be undertaken in two phases and was expected to be completed by 2006, but the delay has led to escalation of costs.
Meanwhile, work on the SCLR began in two phases- work on phase one began on September 29, 2003, and was expected to be complete by November 28, 2004. Work on phase two began a year later in May 10, 2004, and was expected to be complete by September 9, 2006.
But sources said work is going on even today and is expected to take another year to complete. The original cost estimate for the SCLR was Rs114.96 crore, but the cost has escalated today to Rs254.76 crore, a rise of Rs139.80 crore.
On the JVLR too, work began in three phases-work on phase one and three began on July 17, 2003, and was expected to be completed by March 16, 2005. Work on phase two began a year later in February 10, 2004, and was expected to be complete by April 9, 2006.
But again, sources said work is going on even today and is expected to take another year to complete. The original cost estimate was Rs119.40 crore, but the cost has escalated today to Rs 221.45 crore, a rise of Rs 102.05 crore.
MSRDC has blamed the delay on the shifting of project-affected people and getting clearances for land and railway bridges.
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