Opposition, BJP Spar Over Rs 2,000 Crore Dahisar–Bhayander Elevated Road Plan
A heated political dispute has broken out in Mumbai between opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the proposed Rs 2,000 crore Dahisar–Bhayander elevated road project. The clash occurred on Thursday during a meeting of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee, where the civic administration presented its latest proposal.
The debate was triggered by the civic administration's proposal to seek approval for the appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC). This consultant would oversee the construction of the 45-meter-wide elevated road, which is planned to connect Dahisar (West) to Bhayander (West). The corridor serves as the final phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project.
During the committee meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress corporators raised strong objections to the plan. The opposition leaders questioned why the BMC should bear the entire financial burden for the Rs 2,000 crore infrastructure project. They argued that the elevated corridor extends beyond the official city limits of Mumbai, meaning the city is paying for a route that goes outside its jurisdiction.
The controversy centers on the financial sharing of the massive project. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress corporators expressed concerns that the civic body is taking on undue financial liability. They formally questioned the decision to have the BMC fund the entire Rs 2,000 crore budget when the benefits and physical structure of the road extend into Bhayander, which lies outside Mumbai's administrative borders.
The proposed Dahisar–Bhayander elevated road is aimed at improving northbound connectivity and easing traffic congestion in the region. However, the project has now become a source of significant political tension and scrutiny regarding its approval, management, and financial responsibility.
The dispute highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding the management of the Rs 2,000 crore project. The proposed 45-meter-wide corridor is designed as a key link to improve northbound connectivity, but the question of which authority should pay for a road extending outside Mumbai's boundaries remains a central point of contention between the BJP and the opposition as the BMC seeks PMC approval.
