As 2018 comes to a close, The Hindu takes a look at a few projects that the BMC had resolved to complete, but are yet to see the light of day.
Gazdarbandh storm water drain pumping station
This ambitious project undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has consistently missed deadlines. One of the eight pumping stations being built in the city according to the Brimstowad report, Gazdarbandh will reduce flooding in Khar, Santacruz, Vile Parle and Juhu
Work started in 2014 and was to cost ₹125 crore. It was supposed to be completed in two years, but is still unfinished. The BMC has started the process to blacklist the original contractor, Pratibha Industries, and has allotted the leftover work to a joint venture of two companies. The new contract will cost ₹75 crore and will require completion of the job in six months, that is before the monsoon. It also involves maintenance for six years.
Sewage treatment plants
As part of its ambitious Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project Phase II, the BMC was supposed to construct seven waste water treatment facilities. While work on the Colaba facility is underway, the remaining six at Dharavi, Worli, Bandra, Ghatkopar, Versova and Bhandup are still on paper.
The facilities are supposed to carry out secondary and tertiary treatment of water to make it available for non-potable use. Each facility will have varying capacity between 250MLD and 1,200MLD.
Together, the construction and maintenance cost is estimated to be around ₹1,000 crore. The BMC had invited bids earlier in 2018. If bidders qualify, work may be allotted in 2019.
Hospital upgrade
The BMC’s plans for a holistic makeover of M.T. Agarwal Hospital in Mulund, Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi and Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali have not come to fruition, despite finding mention in consecutive budgets.
Work on Agarwal Hospital is estimated to cost ₹300 crore, Bhagwati Hospital ₹430 crore and Shatabdi Hospital ₹333 crore. In 2018, the BMC scrapped bids for a third time, citing high quotes. The tendering process is underway for a fourth time now.