India, June 7 -- The Mrinaltai Gore flyover extension was finally opened to traffic on Saturday, but not before the contractor was penalised Rs.26 lakh for missing the project's completion deadline.

According to Bangar, contractor M/s MEPL-Gyan JV was required to complete the work by April 30 this year but finished it only on May 26, attracting the penalty.

The project, which began in 2018 and was originally expected to be completed within two years, was delayed by more than 40 months and witnessed a cost escalation from Rs.209 crore to approximately Rs.248 crore.

According to civic officials, the delays were caused by a combination of factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, changes in ramp design, construction of the Oshiwara and Wa...