The project cost of Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is constantly increasing with every missing deadline. The latest estimate for this link road is Rs450 crore, which is 391.30 per cent more than the initial estimate.
"The work on this project is underway for 8 years now and its price has kept on increasing. There is no definite project pricing and deadline set by the authorities," said Right to Information (RTI) activist Anil Galgali.
As per the reply received through RTI from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the latest estimated project cost is Rs450 crore.
The first estimate in 2003, when the project work began, was Rs114.96 crore.
In August 2011, the project cost of the very same 3.5km-long infrastructure project was Rs254.76 crore.
Even though MMRDA officials have been maintaining that work on the project will get completed by March 31, officials requesting anonymity say that it will open only by mid-April.
The delay in the project has primarily been due to rehabilitation and resettlement related works. The World Bank was earlier assisting by way of loans to finance the project, but due to constant delays in completing it, they withdrew from the project.
The Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road will help reducing traffic congestion on the roads of Santa Cruz – Kalanagar – Dharavi – Sion – Chembur.
