After failing to get the stuck tunnel boring machine (TBM) removed safely, the civic body has decided to close the current contract and issue a new one to finish the Powai-Ghatkopar tunnel. For the work done so far—on the completed Powai-Veravali tunnel and incomplete Powai-Ghatkopar one—the BMC has decided to clear the payment of Rs 147 crore.
The BMC will spend an additional Rs 360 crore to complete the project. The project included a 2.2-km tunnel from Powai to Veravali and a 4.4-km tunnel from Powai to Ghatkopar. It was first awarded for Rs 182 crore in 2012 and was supposed to be completed within 52 months. Later, the cost escalated to Rs 223 crore. As per the proposal by the civic administration, which will be discussed in the standing committee meeting on Friday, the BMC will now complete the transaction of Rs 147 crore for the work done so far, including Rs 38.5 crore to the contractor as the machine is stuck. While the tunnel between Powai and Veravali was completed and commissioned in November 2018, the one from Powai to Ghatkopar got delayed after the TBM got stuck in 2016.
“We have completed at least 100 km of the water tunnel projects across the city, but this happened for the first time. The TBM got stuck due to geological formation and we weren’t able to push the project forward despite all efforts,” said Shirish Uchgaonkar, chief engineer of water supply projects. He added that the cost escalated as 10 years have passed.
Surjitt Sahani
