The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) finds itself under scrutiny as reports reveal a sluggish pace in its road concretisation efforts across Mumbai, with only 15 percent of the planned work completed thus far. This initiative, prompted by directives from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to eradicate potholes, aimed to enhance the city’s infrastructure resilience, particularly ahead of the monsoon season.
As per the latest data, out of the targeted 397 kilometres of cement concrete (CC) roads spanning five zones, BMC has managed to complete a mere 21 kilometres. The progress is most pronounced in Zone IV, Andheri (West), where 10 kilometres of road concretisation have been accomplished. Zone III, Andheri (East), follows with 5 kilometres completed, while Zones V (Chembur), VI (Ghatkopar East), and VII (Kandivali East) have seen only 2 kilometres each completed. Criticism has mounted against BMC for the slow pace of work, exacerbated by the onset of the monsoon season, which has forced a temporary halt in operations. This delay raises concerns about the quality of commuting experiences for Mumbai residents during the rainy season, potentially subjecting them to rough rides on deteriorated roads. The road concretisation initiative is pivotal for improving Mumbai’s infrastructure resilience against heavy rainfall and increasing vehicular traffic. However, challenges such as bureaucratic delays, logistical constraints, and seasonal weather impacts have impeded BMC’s progress.
In response to criticisms, BMC officials have acknowledged the setbacks but remain committed to completing the remaining concretisation work swiftly once weather conditions permit. They emphasize that ensuring durable road infrastructure requires meticulous planning and adherence to quality standards, which may necessitate adjustments to the project timeline. Moving forward, BMC plans to resume concretisation efforts promptly post-monsoon, prioritizing zones where work has been delayed. The corporation aims to mitigate public inconvenience and uphold safety standards while delivering on its mandate to enhance Mumbai’s urban mobility infrastructure. Despite the setbacks, BMC’s commitment to fulfilling the road concretisation project remains steadfast, underscoring its dedication to improving the city’s transportation network and overall quality of life for residents.
