In a pioneering move aimed at transforming the landscape of road repair in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has greenlit a ground-breaking policy introducing ducts to house underground utilities. Civic chief I S Chahal gave the nod to this innovative approach in the first week of February, marking a paradigm shift in the way infrastructure upgrades will be executed.
The strategic policy outlines a meticulous plan to circumvent the conventional method of trenching during road repair projects. For concrete roads less than 40 metres wide, a one-metre-wide reinforced cement concrete duct will be cast along a side strip, seamlessly accommodating power and communication utilities. Meanwhile, roads exceeding 40 metres in width will boast ducts with a minimum width of 1.5 metres. Notably, this marks the first instance where the BMC is proactively addressing the inclusion of sewage and water networks on undeveloped plots. The visionary move aims to curtail the need for future trenches, elevating the efficiency and longevity of Mumbai’s road infrastructure.
BMC officials emphasised the collaboration between the building proposal department and the hydraulic and sewage project department. This collaboration involves providing a comprehensive list of each road, specifying the constructed area on individual plots. The departments will then calculate the size of water and sewer connections required for these plots, significantly mitigating the potential for future trenches. Under the new policy, a transparent approach will be adopted, with the publication of a list of concreted roads and their Google Maps locations. Citizens will have access to this information through online platforms and public notices, empowering them to initiate new connections for water, sewer, and repairs concurrently with ongoing road improvement projects.
While embracing innovation, the policy allows for the independent laying of gas pipes using conventional methods without disrupting the integrity of the reinforced cement concrete ducts. With 42 types of underground utilities, including gas pipelines, water connections, sewage pipes, and electricity, fibre optic, and telephone cables, this comprehensive strategy is poised to revolutionise Mumbai’s approach to urban infrastructure. Civic data reveals that annually, approximately 400 kilometres of trenches scar the city’s landscape. BMC officials emphasise that this proactive shift aims to mitigate road damage, potholes, and inconveniences experienced by the public, underscoring a commitment to a progressive and resilient urban enviro
