The ambitious Kharghar–Turbhe Tunnel Link Road (KTLR) — a multi-thousand-crore project meant to drastically cut travel time between Navi Mumbai’s fast-growing nodes — has become the centre of intense public scrutiny. Documents, tenders, legal filings, and objections from stakeholders reveal a tangled mix of financial, environmental, procedural, and governance concerns around CIDCO’s awarding of the ₹2,099-crore contract to M/s Rithwik Projects Pvt. Ltd.
While excavation and preparatory work have begun, the project is now entangled in challenges on legal, environmental, financial, and administrative fronts. Activists and experts are increasingly demanding a high-level audit and an independent inquiry.
A Costly Project With Shifting Price Tags
CIDCO’s own project records show fluctuating cost estimates:
- ₹2,099 crore — initial awarded value
- ₹2,195 crore — subsequent revised estimate
- ₹3,166.78 crore — projected cost presented before the Board
Sources confirm that earlier tenders were 33% to 60% higher than government schedule rates, resulting in rejection of multiple bids. The eventual selection of Rithwik Projects in October 2023 has raised sharper questions about:
- How the final bid was evaluated
- Why significantly costlier estimates were accepted
- Whether financial and technical due diligence was fully followed
CIDCO has not released cost-justification documents despite repeated RTI applications.
Technical Scale: One of Navi Mumbai’s Largest Hill-Tunnelling Efforts
According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by MSRDC and vetted by CIDCO, the engineering scope includes:
- 1.8 km twin tunnel across Kharghar Hill
- Tunnel excavation: 7,89,541 cubic metres
- Open-cut excavation: 5,42,286 cubic metres
- Shotcrete: 10,996 cubic metres
- Tunnel lining: 56,962 cubic metres
- Concrete: 1,55,787 cubic metres
The official deadline for completion is September 2028.
Environmental, Forest, and Land Issues Stall Progress
1. Environmentalists Sound the Alarm
Environmental groups claim:
- The project began without a full EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment).
- Tunnel digging could destabilise hills, disrupt groundwater, and destroy green cover.
- Work reportedly proceeded while forest queries were still pending.
CIDCO denies violations but has not publicly produced complete clearance files.
2. Forest Department Raises Objections
Internal communications indicate forest officials have questioned:
- Impact on reserve forest patches
- Removal of vegetation without final approval
- The project alignment encroaching eco-sensitive hill zones
Many objections reportedly remain unresolved.
3. Landowners File Complaints
Landowners from adjoining villages have flagged:
- Unclear or insufficient compensation
- Non-transparent acquisition procedures
- Pressure tactics by local intermediaries
Multiple complaints are pending with the Collector and the Urban Development Department.
CIDCO Board Meetings Marked by Internal Disagreement
Officials present during board discussions say several concerns were frequently raised:
- Cost escalations
- Land acquisition hurdles
- Environmental and forest clearances
- The contractor’s financial and legal background
Yet, minutes of these meetings have not been released, despite RTI requests — further fuelling suspicion.
Contractor Under the Scanner: Rithwik Projects Pvt. Ltd.
Rithwik Projects is currently involved in several legal disputes across India. While the company contests many cases, official court records reflect ongoing matters related to:
Key Legal Issues
1. Tender Rejection
Rejected by Orissa Mining Corporation for not affixing a common seal on a Power of Attorney — upheld by court.
2. Debt & Arbitration Disputes
Disputes with MBL Infrastructures Ltd and Srei Equipment Finance Ltd.
3. Bank Guarantee Litigation
Case involving Sintex Infra Projects regarding invocation and jurisdiction.
4. GST Ledger Freeze
Petition alleging illegal freezing of GST credit ledger without a speaking order.
5. Insolvency Claims
NCLT matter involving alleged unpaid dues of ₹7.5 crore, including employee salaries.
- None of these cases prove wrongdoing, but they raise serious questions about assessing contractor stability for a ₹2,099-crore public project.
Allegations of Favouritism and Lack of Transparency
- Urban policy researchers and activists point to:
- Unexplained early-stage cost escalation
- Awarding a mega contract to a firm with ongoing financial litigations
- Non-disclosure of technical evaluation sheets and negotiation minutes
- Environmental and forest objections allegedly being “managed,” not resolved
- These remain allegations — but transparency is crucial for projects of this scale.
Rising Demand for Investigation
- Several civil-society bodies are seeking:
- CAG special audit
- State Vigilance enquiry
- ACB/CVC scrutiny
- Public release of clearance files, DPR, and financial evaluation notes
- Some senior officials have also recommended appointing an independent expert safety panel.
CIDCO & Rithwik Projects Remain Silent
- Both entities have yet to respond to questions on:
- Cost escalation
- Tender evaluation and due diligence
- Legal and financial compliance
- Environmental clearances
- Contractor vetting processes
Conclusion: A Critical Urban Project Overshadowed by Unanswered Questions
- If executed safely and ethically, the Kharghar–Turbhe Tunnel Road could reshape Navi Mumbai’s east–west connectivity. Yet its current path — marked by cost escalations, environmental doubts, opaque decision-making, and contractor controversies — demands urgent oversight.
- For a project involving over ₹2,099 crore of public funds, accountability is not optional — it is essential.
Only an independent investigation can restore public trust and ensure that Maharashtra receives infrastructure built without compromise.
