The total cost of these flyovers is estimated to be Rs 388 crore. They are part of the state government's programme to construct 56 flyovers across Maharashtra.

Opposing the proposal, Congress and Samajwadi Party questioned the rationale behind the financing of the flyovers at a time when the civic body is facing a cash crunch and its financial accounts are in deficits. ``In what way the benefit from the flyovers would accrue to the BMC,'' they asked.

The debate was kicked off by Congress corporator and former mayor R R Singh on a point of order. How the Mayor-in-Council (MiC) could rush with such a vital decision, he said adding that there were no specifications laid and its partial funding by the civic body was questionable. ``Nothing has been specified by whom or in whatway the money will be recovered. There are many doubts to be cleared,'' Singh said.

Congress corporator K A Bastiwala called the idea of BMC part-financing the flyovers `ambiguous'. ``The State government will be in charge of recovering its expenses via toll tax for the first 20 years or more. Not before that will the BMC be able to recover its money. It is a foolish investment. How can a decision be taken so easily?'' said Bastiwala, adding that he would seek legal redress on the matter.

However, Deputy Mayor Gopal Shetty brushed aside apprehensions on the issue stating that BMC would recover its money in due course. Later, Samajwadi Party corporator Riyaz Ahmed Wanoo called for the matter to be referred back to the MiC for reconsideration. This suggestion was turned down by Speaker Gajanan Thakre and put to a hands vote. The ruling party alliance won on the basis of sheer numbers.