The progress of the construction of Mumbai Metro Line 2B - Yellow line is not up to the mark. Contractors’ negligence has caused a huge delay in the completion of the project. Mumbai Metro Politan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has imposed a fine of Rs 1.29 crore on two contractors for their negligence in building Metro-2B corridor from Andheri West, DN Nagar to Mandale in Mankhurd. The contractors of this project are NCC Limited and J. Kumar. Both of them were asked to expedite the work, but they didn’t. The first phase of this project, which covers the Diamond Garden-Mankhurd stretch, was supposed to be ready and operational by the end of 2025. But the first phase is not ready yet, and hence MMRDA had to take this stringent action.
In many metro projects, J. Kumar, in particular, has faced multiple fines as the authorities found many lapses in his work.
The 'D. N. Nagar-Mandalay 2-B' line is being used to extend the 'Dahisar-Andheri West, D. N. Nagar Metro-2A'. 'MMRDA' is now working on 'Metro-2B', which is 23.6 km long and has 19 metro stations. The initial phase of this line's construction, which will span 5.5 kilometres and contain five stations between Diamond Garden and Mandala in Chembur, was expected to be completed by the end of this year.
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Citing their MMRDA sources, Loksatta reported the penalties were imposed due to delays in structural and finishing work for Phase 1. NCC Limited was given the Rs 458.93 crore contract in 2019 to build the elevated metro line for Phase 1. The contract was extended to June 2025 because the project was not finished in the allotted period. The contractor was fined Rs 1.07 crore for failing to expedite the work in spite of the extension.
For comparable delays, J. Kumar, who was in charge of the roofing and other structural work at five metro stations, was fined Rs 21.97 lakh. In October 2022, the company got a contract of Rs 99.3 crore, with a 2025 completion date.