BMC to spend ` 7 cr to review GMLR:Hindustan Times

SECOND REVIEW Civic body floats tenders for a consultant to study, again, if proposed Goregaon-Mulund Link Rd is feasible

THE GMLR PROJECT IS STUCK AS THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT PASSES A HIGH SECURITY ZONE. THERE ARE ISSUES OF LAND ACQUISITION TOO

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is going to spend Rs7 crore on another consultant for a peer review of the proposed Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR).

The corporation has floated the tender. This will be in addition to the Rs2 crore already spent on a consultant for a feasibility report of the GMLR.

The Rs130 crore GMLR project is stuck because the proposed alignment passes through a high security zone. There are land acquisition issues as well.

Top civic officials, including municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta, are not satisfied with the alignment. Bridge department officials are considering including the existing Goregaon-Mulund Link Road that passes through Dindoshi, in the proposed alignment.

HT had reported first about the change in GMLR’s existing alignment on June 19.

“With the current alignment, chances of the project going ahead are slim. The water treatment plant at Bhandup Complex, land acquisition and the lack of space to carry out work because of two lakes and several water pipelines are some of the hurdles,” said a senior civic official from the bridge department.

The earlier alignment was finalised by the additional municipal commissioner SVR Srinivas, after a consultant had made a feasibility report.

The consultant had suggested the construction of a 14-km elevated road to minimise tree cutting.

However, after Mehta took over as municipal commissioner, the GMLR project was handed over to the additional municipal commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, who oversees projects.

It was only much later, after civic officials began a site inspection, that these issues came to light. This is why top officials have decided to opt for peer review for the project.

Chief engineer, bridge department, SO Kori said, “A consultant for a peer review is appointed according to STAC (Statuary Technical Advisory Committee) recommendations. STAC has directed to cross check the feasibility report made by the consultants to eliminate any errors.”