Mumbai: Information provided by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed significant delays in Mumbai’s ambitious Versova Samudra Bandra Sea Link (VBSLP) project. The project’s start date was June 24, 2019, and under the original contract, it was scheduled to be completed by June 21, 2024. However, due to various reasons, the project has been extended by a total of 1,421 days in four phases, despite which the final revised completion date was pushed forward, not to May 2, 2024, but to May 17. No penalty has been imposed on the contractor, Webuild-Apco JV.

According to information provided by MSRDC in response to an RTI application filed by Anil Gilgli, the first extension of 250 days was granted on June 23, 2020. The main reason was non-availability of land required for the casting yard. Subsequently, on September 14, 2020, an additional extension of 180 days was granted due to restrictions and work disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, on February 10, 2022, an extension of 483 days was granted due to restructuring or changes within the EPC contractors’ joint venture (JV). Finally, on January 19, 2024, a further extension of 508 days was granted due to changes in the scope of work and additional works. The total duration of these four extensions is 1,421 days, with the final date of completion of the project set at May 17, 2028. According to the MSRDC letter dated June 23, 2020, the contractor had sought an extension of about 311 days for the period from April 2020 to April 2020. The reasons for the delay during this period include various incidents as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, revised work phases and timelines were established for the project. Meanwhile, the MSRDC letter dated January 19, 2024 mentions further extension based on changes in the scope of work and revision of work phases.

A serious question arises as to why no punitive action has been taken against the contractor Webuild-Apco JV for the delay despite repeated extensions to the project. RTI activist and senior journalist Anil Gilgali said that the financial burden of delay in this important project, which was run with public money, may ultimately fall on the government exchequer and the common people. Therefore, instead of simply giving relief to Webuild-Apco JV by way of extension of time, the penalty provisions stipulated in the contract should be strictly enforced.

“The Versova-Bandra Sea Link project has been given an extension of a total of 1,421 days. The original completion date was June 21, 2024, while the last date has now been extended to May 17, 2028. The delay in the project is resulting in wastage of both public funds and time. Therefore, by simply stating the reason, the reason is given. Anil Galgali demanded that damages (LD)—penalties for compensation for losses—should be immediately imposed on the contractor, Webuild-Apco JV and recovered as per the provisions of the contract. Galgali added, “An extension does not mean allowing the Webuild-Apco JV contractor to delay the work. While some reasons for the delay may be acceptable, the responsibilities and penalty clauses stipulated in the contract must be implemented. It is a matter of serious concern that the final deadline for this project, which was set on June 2, 2019—has now been extended to May 17, 2028. Therefore, MSRDC should publicly disclose clear details about the reasons for each extension, the party responsible for the delay, the additional financial burden resulting from it, and whether the damages have been averted.

The Versova-Bandra Sea Link is a key project for Mumbai’s traffic infrastructure. However, the project timeline continues to be extended due to continuous delays in the work. Consequently, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) should clearly identify the reasons and accountability for these delays and recover penalty from the Webuild-Apco JV contractor for any delays attributable to them, as per the contract. Additionally, RTI activist Anil Gilgali has demanded steps to ensure that the extended project period does not impose additional financial burden on the government exchequer.

Mumbai: A high alert has been issued in Mumbai city after the incident of throwing eggs on the Ganpati idol in Mazgaon, Mumbai before Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Mumbai Police has claimed to have deployed additional forces in sensitive areas along with special security arrangements on the procession routes. Preparations for the historic procession in Mumbai city have also been completed. The procession of Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be led by Mufti Hazrat Allama Syed Khaliq Ashraf Mohtamam and Ustad Ashrafia Mazharul Uloom Gonda from Khilafat House in Mumbai, while poet and Congress leader Rajya Sabha Imran Pratap Garhi is also expected to participate in the procession as a special guest. This was informed by Khilafat Committee Chairman Sarfaraz Arzoo here. He said that the lovers of the Prophet should take special care of the order and discipline in the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession and also avoid heart-wrenching slogans, superstitions and un-Islamic matters. The Mumbai Police has also reviewed and inspected the route of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession so that no untoward incident occurs during the procession. After the incident of throwing eggs at the Ganpati procession in Mazgaon, the situation is tense here, but peace is maintained. Meanwhile, the police are also paying attention to ensure that no trouble occurs in the procession. In view of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession in Mumbai, the city of Mumbai has been decorated with electric lights like a bride. The area has been decorated with green dome flags and green flags everywhere. Electric lights and reception gates have also been prepared. The Mumbai Police will also keep an eye on the distribution of Niyaz and Langar during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. Along with this, the registration of organizations and registration of stages are also being done in police stations. In view of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the areas in Mumbai are decorated like a bride. The lovers of the Prophet have illuminated their neighborhoods, streets and areas for the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. A large-scale Muhammadi procession is organized in the city and suburban areas on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him). In such a situation, the police has also claimed that special arrangements have been made within the limits of all police stations. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, senior police officers have made special arrangements for Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Eid Milad-un-Nabi committees also prepare attractive and spiritual tableaux of the holy places of Medina and Mecca in the backdrop of the Muhammadi procession. These tableaux are the specialty of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. Mumbai Police has made it clear that a complete ban has been imposed on DJs in the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession and action will be taken against anyone who violates this. Muslim-majority areas are decorated for the arrival of the government and preparations have also been completed to welcome the procession in these areas.

Palghar, Aug 25: A seven-year-old student of a residential school in Maharashtra Palghar district has died after suffering from high fever and breathing difficulties, while 26 other students have been hospitalised with symptoms of cold, cough and fever, officials said on Tuesday.

The Class 1 student, enrolled at an ashram school in Maswan, developed a high fever on August 22 and was taken to the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) for treatment.

When his fever returned on Monday, the PHC medical officer observed that his oxygen levels were dropping and advised that he be shifted by ambulance to the Rural Hospital in Manor.

After the child was taken to the hospital, medical officers conducted an ECG and subsequently declared him dead, an official said.

The exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report is received, the official added.

Following the incident, senior health and administrative officials visited the school, which has 395 resident students out of a total enrolment of 449. A medical team also conducted a comprehensive health screening of students on the campus.

As a precautionary measure, 26 students showing mild symptoms of cold, cough or fever were placed under medical observation at the Maswan PHC. Their condition was reported to be stable.

Integrated Tribal Development Project Officer Vishal Khatri visited the school and the health centre to meet the hospitalised students and their parents.

The incident comes weeks after three tribal girls died following venomous snakebites at a residential school hostel in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, where they were reportedly sleeping on the floor.

The deaths have renewed scrutiny of safety and health conditions at Maharashtra’s ashram schools. Earlier this month, officials reportedly said that 584 students had died in state-run and government-aided residential facilities across the state over the past two years.

Reported causes of the deaths included snakebites, sickle cell disease, serious illnesses, accidents and suicides.