BMC proposes 29-member consultant panel to prevent bridge and flyover design failures
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed appointing a five-year panel of 29 technical consultants to oversee the planning, design, and execution of major bridges, flyovers, and tunnels. The proposal, scheduled to be tabled before the civic standing committee this week, follows public backlash over design flaws in major city projects, including the misaligned Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri and the Vikhroli railway overbridge.
The panel of consultants will supervise key infrastructure works undertaken by the BMC’s Bridges Department. The civic body stated that the empanelment is necessary to ensure future projects are planned scientifically and executed without delays.
The policy shift comes after repeated criticism of municipal engineering. In February 2024, the BMC faced severe criticism when the two arms of the reconstructed Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri failed to align. Additionally, the recently opened Vikhroli railway overbridge was criticized for lacking a central divider and pedestrian facilities.
According to documents from the Chief Engineer (Bridges) department, 31 firms submitted bids for the panel. Following a technical scrutiny of their credentials, the BMC shortlisted 29 firms. The selected consultants include Tata Consultancy Engineers, Spectrum Techno Consultants, and Green Design and Engineering Services.
These consultants will be tasked with preparing project designs, identifying potential engineering challenges before construction starts, and recommending corrective measures during execution.
To regulate costs, the BMC has capped standard consultancy fees at Rs 3.5 crore for most projects. However, this ceiling will not apply to technically complex structures such as cable-stayed, extra-dosed, arch, and suspension bridges, which will have fees determined under separate schedules.
The proposal also introduces strict accountability measures. If a consultant's design errors lead to variations or additional costs exceeding 15 per cent of the total project value, the firm will be penalized. Under the new terms, the BMC will levy a penalty of 10 per cent of the consultancy fee on the defaulting firm.
