more-in Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finalised contractors for all three phases of the 9-km Coastal Road from Marine Lines to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The third phase that consists of twin tunnels has been awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at 10% above revised estimates. The phase-II contractor has been finalised at 12.35% above estimates. Together, the project cost now stands at ?12,000 crore. A proposal has been placed before the Standing Committee. The BMC is in charge of the 9.98-km portion of the coastal road from Princess Street flyover to the Sea Link while the Bandra-Versova section is being done by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to provide seamless connectivity between South Mumbai and Versova. The BMC has divided the 9.98-km stretch into three parts and separate bids were invited for each. Its initial contract cost was ?4,813 crore, which was revised to ?6,852 crore in February. BMC awarded the contract for the initial stage from the Worli end of the Sea Link to Haji Ali on May 15 to a joint venture of Hindustan Construction Company and Hyundai Development Corporation. It has now come to light that the contract has been finalised at 12.35% more than revised estimates. Later, L&T was selected to construct the stretch from Priyadarshani Park at Nepeansea Road to Haji Ali at 1.94% more than estimates. The southernmost part — Princess Street flyover to Priyadarshini Park, which also includes twin tunnels — has also been awarded to L&T at 10.43% above estimates. The construction cost now stands at nearly ?9,000 crore, and after the addition of various taxes, cess and fee, the project cost is at ?12,721 crore. BMC has cited a surge in fuel rates, steel rates and labour and material becoming expensive on account of various mega projects in Mumbai, as some of the reasons for the surge. “We are not against the coastal road but how can they give contracts worth 25% above estimates? Shouldn’t they negotiate with the bidders and bring down costs further? After all, it is public money,” said leader of the Opposition Ravi Raja. The BMC expects the selected contractors to mobilise resources and start construction before the year-end. As per the contract conditions, the work needs to be completed within four years.

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