Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar has ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to impose penalties on road contractors found negligent in planning and execution across the city’s eastern suburbs.
The directive follows a spot inspection conducted on Wednesday to assess the progress of ongoing roadworks. During his visit to MP Vaidya Marg and Tilak Road Junction in Ghatkopar (N Ward), Shelar observed that a road left dug up for six months had been concreted only hours before his inspection. Residents had already raised repeated complaints over the delay, which the minister described as unacceptable. Shelar was accompanied by BMC Additional Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar. Taking serious note of public grievances, the minister instructed immediate corrective measures and warned of strict accountability for substandard work. Further inspection at Ghatkopar West and Vikhroli Park Site revealed that contractors had rushed to lay concrete just ahead of the visit. Residents expressed strong dissatisfaction over the last-minute efforts, prompting Shelar to direct the civic body to examine the contractor’s conduct.
In Bhandup West’s S Ward, the inspection extended to Ashok Kedare Chowk and Tembhi Pada roads, where the minister found incomplete work and improperly aligned road levels. Residents and local BJP leaders voiced their anger, highlighting the prolonged disruption to daily life. Following these interactions, Shelar reaffirmed his party’s accountability and instructed BMC officials not to greenlight any new road projects until the existing ones are completed to standard. “We take full responsibility for the condition of roads in Mumbai’s suburbs,” Shelar told reporters. “If one side of a road is done, it must be properly levelled and aligned before moving to the next. No shortcuts. We are on the streets with citizens to demand accountability and ensure corrective action.”
The minister’s firm stance reflects growing public pressure over poor infrastructure delivery and reaffirms the administration’s intention to enforce quality control and timely execution across civic projects.
