'BMC failure' has caused the Vikhroli road overbridge project to stall, CAG has pointed out contract violations

The Vikhroli Road Overbridge (ROB) project has been stalled for years, and the contract has already been renewed four times through May 2023. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the main causes of the delayed work and prolonged contract were "improper planning, failure to prepare estimates based on site condition, and failure to remove encroachments work." According to CAG's assessment, which was delivered to the civic body in June 2022, "BMC's failure to construct the bridge on time resulted in the loss of connectivity, hardships, and discomfort to the people." Vikhroli has had a problem with east-west communication since the level-crossing gate was closed ten years ago. 

 

The work order for the bridge was issued in May 2018 as a result of the persistent efforts of activists and residents in the area. By October 2020, the bridge project was supposed to be finished. The proposed bridge would link Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg on the west side to Eastern Express Highway on the east side. But the work was delayed because of several issues, including the inability to move the utilities, encroachment, buying a plot, etc. Even though M/s Technogem's empanelment time had ended in July 2017, the company was nonetheless hired as a design consultant. According to CAG's findings, the department's behaviour was irregular. It further claims that the consultancy fees paid to IIT Mumbai were Rs. 2.5 times more than the fees authorised. An audit was requested to determine the reason for paying these fees at such high rates. Additionally, the contract given to M/s H.V. Constructions was 6.93% more expensive than expected. 

 

In response, the BMC said that ROB's substructure and foundation construction were finished. The majority of the time was spent on property acquisition, securing tree permits, and moving numerous utilities. Despite their higher fees, it was hired because Railways insisted on proofreading from IIT Mumbai because public safety was a consideration. The civic body, however, says nothing about the erroneous nomination of the design contractor. The anticipated cost of the 656-meter-long, 50-meter-wide proposed bridge that would cross over the railroad tracks is Rs. 45 crores.

 

It was decided to extend the Vikhroli ROB project first until March 2021 and subsequently until May 2022. (due to covid). Later, it was again extended to October 2022, and as of right now, May 2023 is the new extension date. Ganesh Shetty, a social activist, responded to the delay by saying, "Numerous people have lost their lives recently while trying to cross a railroad. For ROB, I have been writing to BMC and the railroads for the past few years. They had only finished half of the job in four years. I don't think it will be finished by 2023."