A heated debate broke out in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee on Thursday over the civic administration’s proposal to appoint a Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the construction of a 45-meter-wide elevated road connecting Dahisar (West) to Bhayander (West). This project represents the final phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress corporators questioned why the BMC should bear the entire financial burden for a project that extends beyond the city’s limits.
Project Details and Cost
The corridor, estimated to cost Rs 2,000 crore, aims to improve northbound connectivity and ease congestion on the Western Express Highway. The BMC has proposed appointing a joint venture of Nippon Koei India Pvt Ltd and Kite Allied Services Pvt Ltd as the PMC for Rs 52.5 crore. Of the nearly 4.6-kilometer elevated corridor, which will be executed under the build and design model, approximately 1.5 kilometers lie within Mumbai limits, while over 3.1 kilometers fall under the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.
Opposition Concerns
Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Yashodhar Phanse suggested that if neighboring municipal corporations cannot contribute, then the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) should bear the cost. He proposed that the proposal be referred back and brought again with complete details, emphasizing that if the BMC is paying, the exact cost of the portion within Mumbai limits should be known.
Congress leader Ashraf Azmi demanded more financial participation from the state government and transparency in the tendering process. He stated, “This is a prestigious infrastructure project. The state government should be convinced to bear a major share of the cost. BMC’s liabilities are already enormous, while MMRDA’s primary mandate is infrastructure development. When only one bidder remained in the process, why was the tender not reissued? There should be complete transparency in such proposals.”
Congress corporator Tulip Miranda suggested that the construction cost be shared equally, instead of the BMC shouldering the entire financial burden.
BJP Defense
Defending the project, BJP leader Ganesh Khankar argued that transformative infrastructure projects often face initial resistance but ultimately benefit citizens. He highlighted that in 2014, there was only one Metro line and many questioned its utility, but today lakhs of people use it every day. He emphasized that the project is important for the suburbs, as people currently spend over two-and-a-half hours commuting from south Mumbai to Dahisar during peak hours. He urged viewing the project through the lens of long-term public benefit.
Administration Response
Responding to the concerns, Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said the elevated road is intended to decongest the Western Express Highway and forms part of the city’s approved Development Plan. He explained that the stretch forms an established link in the Development Plan, and the section beyond Bhayander towards Virar will be developed by MMRDA. The proposed alignment passes through creek areas, and the cost estimates have undergone rate analysis and scrutiny by the technical analysis committee.
