Bandra-Versova Sealink cost to esclate further

Mumbai: The fate of the Bandra-Versova Sea Link hangs in balance even as MSRDC officers worry about expenditure and project delays. With the MSRDC already having spent Rs 29 crores on preliminary work, shifting the casting yard outside Mumbai will further increase expenses.

Officers claim that following permission, they cleared the debris from the land only to have people reuse the land. The delay in the project will cost the MSRDC nearly Rs 12,051 crore more.

The project has been facing several hurdles from the beginning and now, officers are ready to file a review petition. According to a MSRDC officer, the disputed land was earlier given to the metro 2B project.

After completion of their tenure, the same land was allotted to the MSRDC for the project. After taking possession, the contractor cleared the land to set the casting yard. “The contractor cleared the debris and the other waste which had been dumped on the land. After the cleaning, people started visiting the place,” said an officer on condition of anonymity.

Ninety per cent of the project is dependent on the casting yard and any delay in the project will unnecessarily increase the project cost.

“The estimated project cost is Rs 11,332 crore. Delay in the project will increase the cost by 13.38 per cent, every year. In such a case, Rs 12,051  will be added to the project cost for the next five years. It is public money. We have already spent Rs 29 crore on preliminary work. It’s a huge amount,” said an engineer on condition of anonymity.