Response to RTI query exposes civic body’s laughable penalty for two-year delay on vital Gokhale bridge, as contractor walks away virtually scot-free; this revelation contradicts earlier claims that the civic body had imposed fines of around Rs 3 crore
The construction of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri was delayed by two years. File pic/Ashish Raje
An RTI appeal filed by advocate Godfrey Pimenta has revealed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has levied just Rs 5000 in penalties on the contractor for the delayed construction of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri.
This revelation contradicts earlier claims that the civic body had imposed fines of around Rs 3 crore. The BMC’s reply stated, “At present the work is carried out as per schedule approved by competent authority.” A payment bill dated September 19, 2024, attached to the RTI response, clearly mentions a “Penalty of Rs 5000/-.”
“The project cost was over Rs 87 crore and was delayed by two years. How is it possible that only Rs 5000 is being charged as penalties?” asked Pimenta. “We were told earlier that 5–6 per cent of the project cost would be taken as penalties, which would add up to more than Rs 3 crore.”
The construction of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri was delayed by two years. File pic/Ashish Raje
Pimenta warned that this could set a dangerous precedent for future civic contracts. “Penalties should be imposed appropriately to reflect the importance of planning,” he said. A senior official from the BMC’s bridges department told mid-day, “Penalties are imposed depending on the nature of the delay. For severe delays, severe penalties are usually imposed.”
While the RTI reply doesn’t state anything about the final penalty, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, told mid-day, “An extension was given to the contractor subject to penalty, so, it would certainly be imposed. Final payments are yet to be made to the contractor and it would be made only after deduction of the penalty.
Moreover, the penalty would be calculated strictly as per contract conditions.” BMC in a statement to mid-day said, “Staff concerned have been instructed to work out the exact penalty against the contractor of Gokhale ROB project within the coming 2/3 days.”
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