Civil construction cost of Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway set to increase

In an estimate that might increase the toll for motorists who would ply on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, the cost of the project's civil construction is likely to rise. This comes after the state instructed the MSRDC to use concrete cement instead tar for the Expressway construction, the overall cost of which is estimated to be Rs 46,000 crore including Rs 27,000 for civil construction.

An MSRDC official said, "We were informed about having the whole Expressway made of concrete cement instead of tar while the bidding process was on, and later we informed the bidders about the same(sic)."

"Considering the earlier cost estimate was basis on tar, the cost of each package has increased by 20-40 per cent as bidders have now quoted for concrete cement road. We have sought justification from the bidders who have quoted more than our estimations."

A week ago, the corporation opened financial bids of contractors for nearly 13 packages valued around Rs 22,000 crore in which bidders have quoted higher between 20-40 per cent due to change in decision of layering road with concrete cement, the official said.

The civil construction of the 704-km-long Expressway is divided into 16 packages between Bhiwandi and Nagpur, wherein every package will be constructed by a different contractor at an estimated cost of Rs 27,000 crore.

Meanwhile, the MSRDC plans to collect toll for around 40 years. The proposed toll is Rs 2.5 per km for small vehicles and Rs 6.5 per km for heavy vehicles amounting to around Rs 1,700 and Rs 4,600, for the entire length of the expressway, respectively.

PROCESS UNDERWAY

A week ago, the corporation opened financial bids of contractors for nearly 13 packages valued around Rs 22,000 crore in which bidders have quoted higher

MSRDC PLANS TO COLLECT THE TOLL FOR AROUND 40 YEARS 

Vehicle Toll amount Entire E-way
Small vehicle Rs 2.5/km Rs 1,700
Heavy vehicle Rs 6.5/km Rs 4,600