Mumbai News: Govandi Residents Demand Investigation Into Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road Flyover, Alleging Structural Failures

Govandi citizens have demanded a review and investigation into the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road flyover alleging irregularities, public safety concerns and structural failures.

Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum and Govandi New Sangam Welfare Society, residents’ associations in Govandi have raised concerns regarding the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road and its associated Deonar Dumping Ground 200-meter extension arm. The residents have alleged that the flyover has led to grave public safety risks due to design and construction flaws.

The associations have written to the public accounts committee of the Maharashtra legislative assembly and the principal accountant general of Maharashtra urging them to address the residents’ concerns. The residents have alleged that the flyover has major design issues, including improper clearance for high-tension wires, which restricts its capacity to safely accommodate heavy vehicles. 

The letters also alleged that despite the project cost was increased from Rs313 crore to Rs714 crore, the flyover does not have necessary safety measures like proper lighting, crash barriers, and road markings, which have been the cause of several accidents amounting to fatalities and injuries. It also raised concerns regarding the quality of materials used in the flyover's construction resulting in structural damage.

The residents have highlighted that the flyover has reflected the same failures identified in previous audit reports regarding infrastructure projects in Mumbai, like substandard construction quality and lack of proper oversight. It also alleged lack of transparency in the utilisation of funds and accountability for the lapses.

Through the letters, Govandi citizens have requested the public accounts committee and the principal accountant general to conduct a detailed review and investigation into the financial, technical, and safety-related issues regarding the flyover project. It also urged the authorities to assess the cost escalation, delays, and substandard construction quality along with an investigation into the tendering and bidding process.

The residents have also asked the authorities to direct the civic body to take immediate corrective actions to address the safety hazards and incomplete works that have arisen from the project. “Ensure that relevant authorities are held accountable for the failure of this public infrastructure project and that transparent procedures are followed for future projects. We trust that the authorities will take immediate action to safeguard public welfare and hold the responsible parties accountable for these systemic failures,” read one of the letters.