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To tackle traffic congestion in South Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is embarking on a significant infrastructure project. The plan involves constructing a new elevated road that will connect the southern end of the Eastern Freeway to Grant Road.
The project, estimated to cost INR 1,329 crore, aims to reduce travel time during peak hours. Currently, the journey between these two points takes around 40 minutes, but with the new road in place, commuters can expect to reach their destination in just 6 minutes.
J Kumar Infraprojects Limited and RPS Infraprojects (P) Limited have been entrusted with the task of overseeing this project. The road will serve as an extension of the Eastern Freeway and will run alongside the Worli-Sewri Connector. It will be constructed as a cable-stayed bridge, providing a direct route for vehicles without the need to exit.
This elevated road will pass over congested areas in South Mumbai, including key landmarks such as Hancock Bridge, JJ Flyover, and Free Bridge, before merging into the main road at Diana Talkies in Grant Road.
One of the key features of this project is its innovative design, which allows vehicles to divert directly from the expressway without having to navigate through additional routes.
The planned flyover will stretch 5.6 kilo-meters and will be constructed on stilts above the roads. The BMC will relocate existing utilities from beneath the roads. Initially, the project was tendered in February 2023 for INR 638 crore. However, it was canceled in January 2024, and a new tender was issued at a higher cost before finalising the contractors.
In 2018, the civic body blacklisted two contractors for alleged involvement in a road repair scam, banning them from bidding on civic projects for seven years. However, in 2019, the contractors appealed to the Bombay High Court and had their blacklisting reduced to three years after filing an affidavit. Blacklisting means the civic body prohibits contractors from bidding on civic projects to prevent them from receiving work orders. Contractors are typically blacklisted for poor work quality or breaching contractual agreements with the civic body.
P. Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), stated to The Indian Express that at the time of awarding the contracts, the contractors were not disqualified. Therefore, they were eligible to bid for the project without any additional monitoring measures. An official explained that contracts are awarded to the lowest bidders, and in this case, both firms were the lowest bidders and received the contract as a joint venture. The BMC has set a 42-month deadline for its completion.
These two firms will work together in a joint venture for the project, with J Kumar holding a 70% share. Previously, J Kumar secured a contract for building part of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, which aims to connect Versova with Dahisar in the western suburbs.
With construction set to commence soon, residents and commuters in South Mumbai can look forward to smoother and faster journeys, thanks to this ambitious road infrastructure project.
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