As Mumbai braces for its annual monsoon, a pervasive sense of apprehension has gripped residents and commuters, fueled by the significant lag in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) road concretisation projects.
Despite a firm deadline of May 31 for completing all ongoing work on dug-up roads, a recent ground assessment reveals a widespread failure to meet this crucial target. This incomplete infrastructure work, coupled with recent heavy showers and an India Meteorological Department (IMD) weather alert, casts a long shadow over the city’s preparedness, raising concerns about potential traffic chaos, increased accident risks, and deteriorating public health during the impending rainy season. The current state of affairs directly challenges the vision of creating resilient, eco-friendly, and equitable urban infrastructure. Across several key localities, the reality on the ground starkly contrasts with the BMC’s assurances. In Malad West, for instance, a portion of Matoshree Ramabai Marg, where concreting began in mid-April, remains visibly dug up despite an earlier May 20 deadline for cement pouring. Residents like Ashutosh Revale, 28, express palpable frustration: “First, we didn’t understand why a perfectly good road had to be dug up. Now, even after two months, the work is crawling. The rain has made it worse. They say it’s for the city’s betterment, but nobody asked us. A small patch is left, but at this pace, I doubt it’ll be done before the rains.” This sentiment of disquiet reflects a broader public sentiment regarding the efficacy and communication surrounding these vital civic projects.
Similar narratives of delay and inconvenience unfold in other parts of the metropolis. In Borivli East, work initiated in late February on Cross Road No. 3 continues, with only a partial completion of cement pouring. Sunita Joshi, a local resident, laments the detours and perilous conditions: “Our colony is well connected, but with two roads dug up, we had to take long detours. Road No. 2 is now ready, but Road No. 3 is in such poor shape, we can’t even walk. With the rains expected to start early in June, they may now work day and night, but that too will disturb our sleep.” The human cost of these delays is evident in the disruption to daily life and the heightened stress on citizens. Andheri West’s SVP Nagar MHADA Colony paints an equally grim picture, where concreting on internal roads, including Jankidevi School Road, commenced three months ago. Local visits revealed that concrete pouring had not even begun in two critical locations. Ratnakar Sawant, a resident, sharply criticised the pace: “The contractor is working at a snail’s pace. One patch is complete but not cleaned, causing dust pollution. At another location, the road is incomplete, making entry/exit tough.” Allegations of night-time work extending beyond 10 pm, with contractors seemingly indifferent to public inconvenience, further amplify the community’s distress. Such issues underscore the need for stricter oversight and accountability in project execution.
The situation in Andheri East, particularly Off Military Road near Prime Academy, is precarious. This road, dug up for over two months, is only half concreted, creating a dangerous 3-inch height difference. A hotel employee highlighted the dire consequences: “There have been around a dozen injuries. With monsoon approaching, we’re worried about accidents and debris flow.” Poor signage and the ongoing work for electricity, water, and sewage lines exacerbate the hazards, turning daily commutes into perilous journeys. Similar delays and public safety concerns are echoed in Santacruz West on Road No. 5, TPS Colony, and in Mahim on Kapad Bazar Post Office Road, where long-standing disruptions have failed to spur urgency despite accidents and widespread inconvenience. In Bandra West, residents of St John Baptist Road and St Roques Road continue to face significant challenges. While St John Baptist Road is largely concreted, residents like Icelina D’Lima are grappling with unaddressed patches and inaccessible footpaths, making it difficult for the elderly and disabled. Her fears of “shoddy job to get the work done” reflect a common apprehension regarding rushed pre-monsoon completion. On St Roques Road, work, which began in October 2024, has stalled due to critical issues like blocked sewers and water line leaks. A Fernandes, a resident, voiced concerns about “construction debris” blocking sewers and “Jio Wi-Fi cables…lying on the road,” highlighting a severe lack of integrated planning that could lead to recurrent digging.
BMC’s Additional Municipal Commissioner, Abhijit Bangar, acknowledged that 111.25 km of the targeted 130.15 km of concreting work has been completed as of last week’s civic data, with another 51 km expected to be brought to a “safe” stage by May 31. He stated that remaining patches would be finished with mastic asphalt and assured that defaulting contractors would face penalties and potential replacement. However, the palpable frustration among citizens on the ground, coupled with the evident backlog, indicates a significant gap between official targets and tangible progress. The onus remains on the civic body to swiftly bridge this gap, ensuring that Mumbai’s citizens do not endure another monsoon navigating treacherous, incomplete road networks.
Also Read: Mumbai Unveils Stunning Green Coastal Road Promenade
