Canopy work at Coastal Road’s Worli-end underpass on hold over project cost

Mumbai: The BMC's standing committee on Wednesday did not take up the proposal to approve an additional Rs 19 crore work for constructing canopies over the pedestrian underpass (PUP) at the Coastal Road's Worli end, over multiple proposals with varying costs. The civic administration cited waterlogging at the entrance and exit of the underpasses during rains as the reason to build the canopies. Civic officials pointed out that there have been some design changes regarding canopies over the entrance and exit of underpasses at four locations, as part of Phase 2 of the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) in a stretch between Baroda Palace to the southern end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.Standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde questioned the multiple proposals over cost variations and that too within a month and also questioned the urgency of the administration. Shinde further said the committee is being taken for granted. Shinde later said the consultant had rejected the claims of the contractor and the administration should clarify on what grounds the estimates were rejected. The consultant has not been in agreement with the proposal. "Is the consultant right or the contractor," Shinde asked. The administration should give an explanation, as it is our role to keep a check on the money spent, said Shinde.Civic officials pointed out that design changes were to make it aesthetic and ensure consistency in the beautification works, including polycarbonate canopy for the underpasses. However, the contractor pointed out that the underpass roof was not within the scope of its original contract and claimed it was additional work and estimated a cost of Rs 35 crore, which was rejected by the consultant. Thereafter, the contractor submitted a revised cost estimate of Rs 30 crore. The consultant recommended a revised cost of over Rs 17 crore. The current proposal was according to the final estimate of over Rs 19 crore provided by the consultant.