Mumbai University's Library project delayed by 17 months and cost escalation by Rs 2.47 crores

Mumbai University, for its prestigious Library project issued a contract worth Rs 24.86 crores in November 2015. Leave apart the completion of the project in the 9 Months, delayed by 17 months, the project is hit by cost escalation amounting to Rs 2.47 crores, as per the information provided by the University Engineering department to RTI Activist Anil Galgali.

RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the Mumbai University about its Library project at its Kalina campus vide an RTI query dated 24th March 2017. In a response dt 7th April 2017, the Asst Librarian, informed Galgali that, at present the Library is situated in the Kalina campus and it has 7,70,364 books. It further transferred the query pertaining to other works to the University's Engineering department. The University Engineering department's Chief Mr Vinod Patil, in a response delayed by 2 months responded  that, the construction of Library started on 18th February 2015 and was slated to be completed in 9 months. The Library building was planned to consist of a ground floor plus 2 floors and provisions for a reading department, Study Room, Books section, E-Reading, Garden and other sitting areas in an area admeasuring 15,036.86 sq metres and could accommodate almost 450 students at a time. At the time of allotment of the work the estimated cost was Rs 24 crore 86 lakhs 30 thousand 125 and paise 30 only. The work period has been extended upto 3rd July 2017 and the cost escalation has been Rs 2 crore 46 lakhs 60 thousand 274 and paise 47 only taking the total cost upto Rs 27 crores 32 lakhs 90 thousand 400 and paise 27 only.

Due to the delay in the project, lakhs of students of the University are forced to make use of the Library which is operating from the old premises which is in a dilapidated condition thereby endangering their lives. Also the intention of the decision of a new library building and the cost incurred as of now remains in vain, which has further got escalated and  which now needs to be investigated, stated Galgali in a letter addressed to the Governor. Galgali in the letter, further demanded that, the recovery of the escalation cost of Rs 2.47 crores and the risks of lives due to delay in the Construction of the new library be recovered from the Construction Standing Committee member, and since the Vice Chancellor himself being the Head of the Construction Standing Committee, the VC and the committee members be made liable and the extra cost incurred and penalties for delay be recovered from them.