“We submitted a proposal last month, seeking permission to invite a tender for the extension of the bridge. But, we are yet to get approval from the accounting department. The cost of the tender is Rs 70.93 crore,” the official added.

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Delayed once

According to reports, the project was commissioned in March 2018 and was expected to be completed before 2022. Explaining the reason for the delay, the official said, “The plan for the bridge was prepared in 2016. The railways also approved the plan, as the bridge is passing over rail tracks. Thereafter, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Ministry of Railways upgraded the standard of the bridge. Therefore, the design in the rail area had to be changed and permission was taken from the 

Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu did not respond to messages for comment.

Project cost escalates

The initial cost of the project—for a 400-metre bridge and girder of 99 metre—was Rs 99.98 crore. The cost escalated to Rs 108 crore after the railways made the changes in 2018.

Now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to increase the bridge’s length to 613 metres and the girder to 120. This has escalated the estimated cost of the project to Rs 178.93 crore.