An RTI appeal filed by advocate Godfrey Pimenta has revealed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has levied just Rs 5000 in penalties on the contractor for the delayed construction of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri.

This revelation contradicts earlier claims that the civic body had imposed fines of around Rs 3 crore. The BMC’s reply stated, “At present the work is carried out as per schedule approved by competent authority.” A payment bill dated September 19, 2024, attached to the RTI response, clearly mentions a “Penalty of Rs 5000/-.”

“The project cost was over Rs 87 crore and was delayed by two years. How is it possible that only Rs 5000 is being charged as penalties?” asked Pimenta. “We were told earlier that 5–6 per cent of the project cost would be taken as penalties, which would add up to more than Rs 3 crore.”