Monorail losses Rs 159 crores in 26 months

The country's first Monorail project in Mumbai has become an costly affair, has been revealed in MMRDA's response to an RTI query filed by Anil Galgali. The loss of Rs 159 crores has been mounted in last 26 months, this apart from the cost escalation of Rs 220 crores since conceptualisation of the project. RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought various information from the MMRDA regarding the Monorail project. The Public Information officer Mr Varun Vaish provided the information on the basis of information provided by Monorail Transport planner Mr Shantanu Wagh & Mr P L Kurian the CEO of the Transport operation dept. It was informed that the 1st phase from chembur to wadala was opened for public on 2nd February 2014. Since February 2014 till March 2016, ensued 26 months 1,21,64,831 people travelled and a revenue of Rs 9,24,95,331 was generated. But in the meantime during that period the total expenditure on maintenance and operations was Rs 168 crores, thereby showing a loss of Rs 158,75,04,669 crores averaging the loss to Rs 6.11 crores per month which is being borne by MMRDA. The delay due to poor planning has resulted in further cost escalation of project apart from operations and maintenance. The escalation is to the tune of Rs 220 crores. Initial cost was pegged at 2460 crores. Surprisingly the MMRDA has already paid Rs 2310 crores (project cost, escalated cost, and maintenance cost) to the contractors namely L&T and Scomi without even nearing completion. Almost 81% funds have been disbursed showing undue favours to the contractors Looking at the faltering timelines given out by MMRDA, Galgali sought to know the due date finalised for completion. In a response MMRDA informed that in 2nd phase from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj chowk is in a progressive stage and is expected to be completed by July 2016. Till now the 5 extended dates were 22 November 2012, 31st December 2013, 30th June 2014, 26th September 2015 & 19th August 2016. Till now there has been 10 accidents on the project in which 6 people have lost their lives and 7 people were Injured, for which the MMRDA paid compensation of Rs 36.50 lakhs to the families of the dead and has recovered penalties of Rs 36.5 lakhs from the contractors and has further withheld Rs 50 lakhs from the payments. Anil Galgali has expressed that at a time when the Monorail is becoming extinct all over the world, the political and beareaucrats have made a mockery of Mumbaikars by planning the Monorail through a low population area. This has been done to facilitate some builder lobbies. Hence a enquiry should be launched against all involved in the planning to help builders and should set a precedent by recovering Rs 159 crores, which will ensure such favouritism will not take place in future.