Mumbai: Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a halt to new road excavations, committing to complete all ongoing road concretisation projects by May 31, 2025. This decision aims to address the growing frustration among citizens over prolonged construction activities and the associated health hazards from dust pollution.
BMC’s Commitment to Timely Completion
In a recent circular, the BMC emphasized that no new roads would be excavated, focusing solely on completing existing projects by the stipulated deadline. This move comes after numerous complaints from residents about the slow pace of roadworks and the resulting inconveniences, including traffic congestion and increased dust levels.
Background of the Concretisation Drive
The initiative to concretise Mumbai’s roads began in January 2023, targeting the elimination of potholes and enhancing road durability, especially during the monsoon season. Of the city’s 2,050 km road network, approximately 1,000 km have already been concretised. The BMC issued work orders for an additional 701 km, encompassing 2,118 roads, divided into two phases:
- Phase 1: 324 km (698 roads)
- Phase 2: 377 km (1,420 roads)
The BMC aims to complete 75% of Phase 1 and 50% of Phase 2 by the May 31 deadline.
Citizen Concerns and Reactions
While the objective of creating durable, pothole-free roads is widely appreciated, the execution has faced criticism. Many streets have remained dug up for extended periods, causing significant inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians alike. The resulting dust pollution has also raised health concerns among residents.
In some neighborhoods, such as Bandra, residents have actively opposed the unnecessary concretisation of roads that were already in good condition. Their advocacy led the BMC to reconsider and halt certain projects, highlighting the importance of community engagement in urban planning.
Challenges and Delays
The concretisation project has encountered several hurdles. In South Mumbai, for instance, the BMC had to cancel a Rs.1,600-crore contract with Roadway Solutions India Infrastructure Ltd (RSIIL) in January 2024 due to delays. This setback postponed the completion of 97 km of roadwork by nearly two years. NCC Ltd has taken over the project, but sluggish progress continues to frustrate civic officials and residents.
BMC’s Response to Criticisms
In response to the mounting criticisms, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani conducted surprise inspections of ongoing projects. Accompanied by experts from IIT-Bombay, these inspections aimed to ensure adherence to quality standards and expedite the completion process. The BMC has mandated making all roads motorable before the monsoon season to minimize public inconvenience.
Future Outlook
The BMC halts new excavations, prioritizing existing projects, but monsoon will test road durability as residents hope for lasting improvements.
