Versova-Dahisar project costs surge to Rs 359.55 billion in 6 months

According to the budget speech, the BMC commissioner announced that the total cost of the Versova-Dahisar Project has reached Rs 359.55 billion. However, it was mentioned that when tenders for the project were floated in August the previous year, the cost was estimated at Rs 166.21 billion. Officials clarified that the apparent increase in price is not due to any escalation, but rather, when the tenders were initially floated, the cost did not include GST and various other ancillary expenses. These additional costs have now been incorporated into the total specified in the budget speech. The alignment of this project, extending from the Versova Interchange to the Dahisar Interchange of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, was highlighted. Additionally, a proposed elevated GMLR connector from the Mindspace Malad Junction on the Coastal Road to the starting point of GMLR in Goregaon East was mentioned. This connector aims to link the southern tip and western suburbs of Mumbai with Mulund and Thane. The development of this project is based on a design and build approach. Given its extensive length, traversing diverse terrains such as mangroves and creek areas, crossing a metro depot, and involving various components requiring specialised expertise, the project has been divided into six packages.