The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has imposed a INR 1 crore penalty on the contractor responsible for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) following the discovery of cracks on the approach ramp at Shivaji Nagar.
These defects surfaced a mere six months after the road was opened to traffic, prompting an immediate inspection in late June 2024. The fine has been levied against Strabag, the contractor tasked with the construction of the temporary road connecting Ramp 5 of the bridge. It is important to note that the defects were found on this temporary road, not on the main bridge structure itself. The issues, identified during a routine inspection, were promptly addressed and repaired.
According to information provided in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the MMRDA’s Chief Engineer formally notified Strabag of the deficiencies on June 22, 2024. The notice highlighted that, despite the road work being completed on January 5, 2024, the quality fell short of expected standards. The Atal Setu’s consultant subsequently imposed the INR 1 crore fine and directed Strabag to rectify the identified issues within a 48-hour timeframe.
The contractor was required to submit a comprehensive action plan to ensure the quality of the footpath meets the requisite standards. The RTI activist who uncovered these issues has called for more stringent oversight, suggesting that the MMRDA should conduct bi-annual inspections of all ongoing projects to swiftly identify and address quality-related problems. While supporting the imposition of the fine, the activist also recommended considering the blacklisting of Strabag to prevent future lapses.
The Atal Setu, linking Sewri in Mumbai with Chirle in Navi Mumbai, serves as a vital conduit for approximately 30,000 vehicles daily, significantly alleviating travel congestion to South Mumbai. This 21.8-kilometre bridge, with 16.5 kilometres spanning across the sea, represents India’s longest sea bridge and was constructed at a substantial cost exceeding INR 17,840 crore.
