Mumbai: A proposal seeking approval for a cost escalation in the Andheri flyover repair work will come up before the civic Standing Committee. The flyover on the Western Express Highway (WEH) is facing a second cost escalation and an extension of the contract period due to changes in the scope of work. The project cost has risen from the original amount of about Rs 93 crore to Rs 130 crore.
Meanwhile, residents have questioned the time taken to complete the project.
The repair work was initiated after a portion of a slab below the flyover fell on a car in July 2024. The work order for the flyover repairs was issued in October 2024. While the repair work was in progress, the technical adviser and VJTI were again requested to provide an extended methodology for carrying out the work. Accordingly, the technical adviser submitted the methodology to be adopted for the repairs, which was verified by VJTI.
The methodology report stated that since the repair work on the bridge had started after at least 18 months, the superstructure of the bridge had become more fragile. Therefore, it was necessary to strengthen the diaphragm of the bridge. Accordingly, changes were made to the methodology for repairing the superstructure.
The technical adviser pointed out that the changes resulted in an increase in the quantities in the Bill of Quantities (BOQ). Consequently, the contract amount for the original work, including the additional work, increased from about Rs 93 crore to about Rs 95 crore.
While the repair work was in progress, vibrations were observed underneath the bridge and between the pillars when vehicles were moving over it. Public Works Department (PWD) was informed and requested to take necessary measures after conducting a structural examination of the bridge. However, in April 2025, PWD informed the civic body that the structural examination of the bridge should be carried out through VJTI and IIT Mumbai.
According to the joint report of VJTI and IIT Mumbai, it was necessary to strengthen the columns and beams of the bridge. The report stated that otherwise, the main structure would be at risk and the possibility of loss of life could not be ruled out.
An additional cost of Rs 11 crore was required to carry out the additional measures. Meanwhile, the state govt informed the civic body that it should carry out the repairs and raise the necessary funds on its own. Accordingly, the estimate for the additional strengthening of the columns and beams was put at about Rs 11 crore.
Municipal Commissioner had earlier approved an extension of the contract period up to December 2025. However, due to the increase in the scope of the original work, it has now been proposed to extend the contract period up to November 2026.
Dhaval Shah of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association said that the flyover repair work had been delayed and should be completed on a war footing to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters. The civic body stated that the contract was awarded in 2024 at a cost of about Rs 93 crore. Thereafter, due to changes in the scope of the original work, the revised estimated cost after the first revision was about Rs 95 crore. The civic administration has now sought the approval of the civic Standing Committee for the revised cost of about Rs 130 crore after the second revision, as well as an extension of the contract period.
Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association said that the flyover repair work had been delayed and should be completed on a war footing to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters. The civic body stated that the contract was awarded in 2024 at a cost of about Rs 93 crore. Thereafter, due to changes in the scope of the original work, the revised estimated cost after the first revision was about Rs 95 crore. The civic administration has now sought the approval of the civic Standing Committee for the revised cost of about Rs 130 crore after the second revision, as well as an extension of the contract period.
