Mumbai: The BMC is set to more than double the value of its citywide trench refilling contracts, citing a sharp rise in road digging linked to the accelerated rollout of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure across Mumbai.A proposal before the standing committee on May 27 seeks approval to revise the total contract amount for trench refilling works across seven zones from Rs 243.52 crore to Rs 583.02 crore — an increase of Rs 339.5 crore. The civic administration has also sought approval for a revised estimated project cost of Rs 618 crore, including taxes.Data submitted by the BMC’s 24 ward offices showed that of the original Rs 243.5 crore contract amount sanctioned across the seven zones, Rs 212.2 crore was already spent within months of the contracts being awarded. The administration has now sought an additional Rs 339.5 crore to continue the works.Among the highest additional allocations proposed are Rs 59 crore for Zone I, Rs 57 crore for Zone VI and Rs 51.5 crore for Zone V.
