Mumbai: BMC has sought post-facto approval from the Standing Committee for appointing a consultant to carry out a traffic simulation study at the entry and exit points of the Mumbai Coastal Road at Nepean Sea Road.According to a proposal placed before the Standing Committee, the civic body awarded the consultancy to Philip Infra Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd for Rs 9.9 lakh (excluding GST) without floating a public tender.The traffic simulation study is expected to help the BMC evaluate traffic movement at one of the key access points to the Coastal Road and recommend measures to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion around the Nepean Sea Road interchange.The proposal states that a traffic simulation study was considered essential to assess vehicle movement at the Nepean Sea Road interchange in the Coastal Road project. However, BMC said there is no empanelled schedule of traffic simulation consultants for such specialised work and the item is also not included in the Unified Schedule of Rates (USOR).Instead of inviting tenders, the civic administration called for quotations from consultants meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria. Three firms responded, with Philip Infra Consultancy Services emerging the lowest bidder. The company quoted Rs 9.9 lakh, while MRG Consultants and Developers quoted Rs 10.98 lakh and Casta Engineers Pvt Ltd quoted Rs 11.2 lakh, all excluding GST.The proposal further states that the consultant has already completed the traffic simulation study, the administration is seeking the Standing Committee’s ratification of the decision.