Mumbai Citizens Raise Over 7000 Pothole Complaints This Monsoon
Mumbai’s struggle with potholes reached alarming heights this monsoon, as citizens raised a record-breaking 7,083 complaints regarding road damage, highlighting a 13% increase from the same period last year. Of these complaints, a significant 38% originated from three wards in the eastern suburbs, underscoring the intensity of the issue in certain areas.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made strides to address the crisis, reporting the resolution of 81% of these complaints (5,710 cases) by the end of July. Nevertheless, the overwhelming number of unresolved potholes continues to present a significant challenge for the city’s infrastructure. With the monsoon season far from over, citizens and city officials alike are anxiously monitoring the pace of repairs. S ward, which covers parts of Powai and Bhandup, was the hardest hit, accounting for 1,445 complaints over the past two months. In comparison, K-West (Andheri, Juhu, Oshiwara) and T ward (Mulund) recorded 644 and 582 complaints, respectively. The BMC’s prompt response has been credited with resolving the majority of these, with 583 of the 644 complaints in K-West addressed and the rest in various stages of repair.
A deeper analysis of these complaints reveals a critical issue: the majority of the potholes are concentrated on roads that are not concretised, primarily those surfaced with asphalt or paver blocks. BMC officials have stressed that these roads are particularly vulnerable to damage due to heavy rainfall and wear, with the civic body addressing these areas with mastic—an asphalt-based solution—deployed via mobile mastic cookers. Two such cookers have been working throughout the city to address both large and small potholes. While these efforts are part of the city’s plan to ensure smoother roads, it is clear that the number of potholes continues to overwhelm the city’s repair capabilities. In response to the growing public frustration, the BMC has expanded its range of complaint channels. Besides the traditional BMC portal, the civic body launched the ‘My Pothole Quick Fix’ app, allowing citizens to report issues in real time. Additionally, complaints can be made via social media platforms, a WhatsApp chatbot, and the civic disaster management helpline at 1916. The BMC has committed to resolving each complaint within a 24 to 48-hour timeframe, a goal that has yet to be fully realised given the continuing backlog.
The gravity of the pothole problem in Mumbai was tragically underscored by a fatal incident on July 29, when 59-year-old Lalu Gangaram Kamble from Andheri lost his life after falling off his scooter into a water-filled pothole in Powai. The incident marks the first pothole-related fatality of the 2025 monsoon season, highlighting the dire consequences of the city’s deteriorating road infrastructure. As the monsoon continues, Mumbai’s residents remain at the mercy of a municipal system struggling to keep pace with a rapidly increasing number of complaints. In response to this crisis, the BMC has intensified efforts to address the most critical roads, but citizens and experts alike are calling for long-term solutions to avoid further fatalities and disruptions.
As the city moves towards its goal of creating a zero-carbon and sustainable urban environment, improving road infrastructure remains a priority. Sustainable solutions, such as concrete roads and better drainage systems, are essential to curbing the ongoing pothole crisis. For now, however, the pressing issue of Mumbai’s crumbling roads demands immediate attention to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
Mumbai Citizens Raise Over 7000 Pothole Complaints This Monsoon
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