CAG report points to cost escalation for Rs 529-crore ROB

The CAG report stated that while the estimated cost of the project was around Rs 507 crore, the work order was issued at Rs 529 crore – at a higher cost of 4.25 per cent. While the BMC had issued the work order in January 2020, the project was set to be completed in 36 months (excluding monsoon).

According to the BMC data mentioned in the CAG report, at least 50 per cent of the overall works, worth Rs 275 crore, was supposed to be completed by March 2022. However, the report maintained that till October 2022, only 10 per cent of the overall work had been completed and Rs 12.74 crore spent, which was just 2.31 per cent of the total fund earmarked for the ROB.

“Chief engineer from the bridges department stated that during the execution of work, various hurdles had been encountered, such as the Covid-19 outbreak, relocating and restructuring underground utilities like arch drains, water lines, storm water drains and electrical high-tension wires,” the report said.

It added that the chief engineer had pointed out other factors like changes in the design of the bridge that led to the delay. “The change in the design for such substantive design issues indicates insufficient planning and lack of due diligence before taking up the project by BMC,” the report said.

The report also said the BMC is yet to hand over land to the contractor for constructing the bridge.