The damaged pillar of the JJ flyover with iron rods visible | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
Mumbai: Activists have raise alarm over the damage caused to the pillars of JJ flyover during the beautification work undertaken below the 2.1 km long bridge. They allege that the plastering of some of the pillars have been damaged and the reinforcing rods inside them have been exposed.
They said this was certain to cause rust formation in these crucial iron rods. Also, backlit advertising panels on the pillars are damaging the structure. “The pillars should be left totally untouched if the flyover is not to be weakened,” said Kamlakar Shenoy, activist.
The BMC is spending as much as Rs 32 crore in beautifyin the area under JJ flyover in south Mumbai. However, several activists allege that not only is the project being carried at an escalated cost, but the work is also done poorly.
The damaged pillar of the JJ flyover with iron rods visible | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
“It is nothing but wasting taxpayers’ money. The contractor spent some Rs 699 per sapling to plant below the flyover and around Rs 5 lakh only to carve names of politicians on the granite,” said a local activist Abbas Chatriwala, who has obtained documents under the RTI.
Local MLA Amin Patel has alleged a huge scam in the execution of the project and has demanded a criminal investigation by the economic offences wing of the Mumbai crime branch. A senior civic official told the FPJ that it was a “failed project.” “We went ahead with it since the then guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar insisted on it,” he added.
The Hop Hop bus installed below the flyover gathering dust | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
Chatriwala also highlighted that not only have many of the saplings died, but the rest are also poorly maintained. “The contractor has put a thin layer of red soil and below it a thick layer of construction debris. The plants will not survive in thin soil. Additionally, the granites are broken already, debris are dumped in the pedestrian crossing and some pillars are also damaged. Along with beautification, the BMC should have ensured the damaged pillars are repaired,” he said.
When the FPJ visited the site on Wednesday, the BMC was removing the existing grilles to be replaced with new ones. While some labourers were reinstalling the granite along the shrubs, which were broken or removed. The labourers said that they had been instructed to ensure uniformity while completing the beautification work.
The Hop Hop bus installed below the flyover gathering dust | Photo Credits: Vijay Gohil
The work on the stretch below the flyover was undertaken under the Mumbai Beautification Project. The work included erecting murals, planting shrubs and installing three Hop Hop BEST buses, which will be used as library, café and museum and other beautification works. However, many installations are damaged and the three replicas of BEST buses are gathering dust, with one bus standing with a punctured tyre.
Assistant Commissioner of B ward, Shankar Bhosale said, “We have received complaints about the work not being carried well and poor maintenance. However, we are ensuring the work is completed on time and in good condition. The planning department is in the process of appointing an agency to maintain the Hop Hop buses too.”
When asked about the damaged pillars where iron rods are visible, Bhosale said that beautification is not being carried on the pillars, however, he will ask the staff to inspect the site and take necessary actions.
The BMC says the work below the flyover is 95% complete, however, the work is poorly done and not maintained. Local resident and activist Kamlakar Shenoy said, “The BMC is violating its own order to not have installations below a flyover. Additionally, the civic body has not bothered to take an NOC from the Traffic department before starting the work. The work carried by the contractor is worth not more than Rs 2 to 3 crore. But the corporation has already paid some Rs 13 crore to the contractor. It is the business of wasting taxpayers’ money for a failed project.”
Notably, Municipal Commissioner Gagrani had visited the site last month and directed staff and the contractor to ensure the installations, including the replicas of BEST buses, are maintained well and to complete the remaining work soon. A senior civic official told the FPJ that it was a “failed project.” “We went ahead with it since the then guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar insisted on it,” he added.
