Mumbai: MMRDA Fines Contractor Rs 50 Lakh for Potholes on BKC-LBS Marg Flyover, Imposes Daily Penalty
Mumbai, 26th July 2024: Two days after this newspaper highlighted images of significant potholes on the BKC-LBS Marg flyover, which is part of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has imposed a fine of ₹50 lakh on the contractor, J Kumar Infraprojects. Additionally, an extra ₹10 lakh per day will be charged for each day the flyover arm remains closed for repairs.
The photographs featured in Tuesday’s edition of TOI brought attention to the poor state of the flyover arm and emphasized the urgent need for maintenance. Sources reveal that the MMRDA has issued notices not only to the contractor but has also included the project consultants, PADECO, in the disciplinary action. Furthermore, a show-cause notice has been issued to a deputy engineer of the MMRDA.
The 1.25 km-long and 8-meter wide ramp, which was opened to the public on February 10, 2023, is facing penalties for the second time. Previously, in 2022, J Kumar Infraprojects was fined ₹1 crore for failing to implement adequate safety measures, leading to the collapse of the under-construction elevated section of the SCLR extension project on September 17, 2021. The consultant also faced a ₹20 lakh penalty for their involvement in the incident.
An MMRDA official commented, “The total penalty imposed on both the contractor and the consultant for this segment of the SCLR extension project now exceeds ₹1.5 crore.”
This is not the first time J Kumar Infraprojects has been criticized for pothole issues. In July 2023, the MMRDA faced backlash after potholes emerged on the 3.8 km east-west elevated section of the SCLR extension, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, just two months earlier.
The contractor has been criticized for delays and poor execution of the SCLR extension project, which has been completed in phases. Originally scheduled for completion by 2019, the project, with a cost initially set at ₹450 crore, has now escalated to ₹650 crore due to various issues.
Amidst the heavy rainfall affecting the city and suburbs, motorists on Thursday were seen navigating pothole-ridden roads. The BMC has reported that efforts to address potholes are ongoing and are being addressed both proactively and in response to complaints. The civic body has tasked 227 sub-engineers with handling pothole complaints across city wards. In the past fortnight, 13 sub-engineers have received show-cause notices for neglecting pothole issues. For this monsoon season, the BMC has allocated ₹1 crore to each of the 24 administrative wards for pothole repairs on roads under nine meters wide, while ₹2 crore has been designated for roads wider than six meters.
