Cost of Mumbai bridges’ repair escalates again

The cost of repairing bridges at Mahalaxmi and Parel has now increased by 30 per cent, from Rs 26 crore to Rs 34 crore

The cost of repairs of most bridges in the city has increased yet again. The contract cost of major repairs of five road overbridges and one foot overbridge in zone one has now increased from Rs 28 crore to Rs 35 crore. The work was slated to be completed in 2020, but the deadline has now been extended to June 2022. The cost of repairing bridges in Mahalaxmi and Parel has also increased by 30 per cent, from Rs 26 crore to Rs 34 crore.

After the Savitri bridge at Mahad collapsed, the corporation had undertaken a survey of all the bridges in Mumbai. A structural audit conducted in 2018 after the collapse of the Himalaya foot overbridge at CSMT station had suggested additional measures. The cost of repairing almost every bridge had escalated thereafter.

As per the latest proposal from the bridges department, the cost of major repairs of Princes Street railway flyover, Hindi Vidya Bhavan pedestrian bridge, Kemps Corner flyover, Kennedy Railway flyover, Bellasis flyover and Reay Road railway flyover has increased by Rs 7 crore from Rs 28 crore to Rs 35 crore.

The cost of the additional work of bridges was sent before the Standing Committee in parts. Earlier, it was proposed to increase the cost of repairing bridges at Mahalaxmi, Currey Road and Sion railway stations as well as Tilak bridge in Dadar, Dadar flower market bridge, Mahim railway crossing a bridge and Dadar-Dharavi bridge. The contract was given for Rs 26 crore in November 2019 and the work was expected to be completed within two years. As a result, the total cost of repairing bridges in urban areas has increased to Rs 15 crore.

The civic body has started repairing bridges. However, due to the additional work required for the same, the administration proposed to increase the deadline. The work was slated to be completed in 2020, but now the deadline also has been extended to June 2022. The proposal will be tabled in the standing committee meeting on Friday for discussion.

Rs 15cr
Total cost increase for bridge repair