Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a directive to its roads department to ensure that all potholes are repaired within 24 hours of being reported during the monsoon season. Reports can be made through the MyBMC Pothole FixIt app, the civic body’s chatbot, or direct notifications. This proactive measure is aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of monsoon on the city’s infrastructure.
A senior BMC official stressed that any officials or contractors found negligent in addressing reported potholes would face stringent action. To facilitate the reporting process, the BMC has published a comprehensive list of WhatsApp numbers for sub-engineers in each of the city’s 227 wards, enabling citizens to lodge complaints about potholes directly. “Our role is to inform the repair team once a complaint is received,” stated a sub-engineer from the list, emphasising the responsiveness expected from the maintenance teams.
The BMC has equipped each ward with three mastic cookers to expedite pothole repairs. For roads less than six metres wide, a cold mix technology will be utilised. For broader roads, only mastic asphalt will be employed, with the BMC securing partnerships with multiple mastic manufacturers to prevent supply shortages.
In preparation for the monsoon, all road repairs are mandated to be completed by June 7. The BMC has directed the roads department to ensure that the service roads of the Eastern Express Highway are ready for traffic and to conduct resurfacing where necessary. Coordination with zonal deputy municipal commissioners and assistant commissioners of wards has been emphasised to prioritise critical repairs.
On a recent inspection tour, a BMC official assessed ongoing road repair efforts at various locations on the Eastern Express Highway, including KB Gaikwad Nagar in Chembur East, Rahul Nagar in Kurla, Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar, Pant Nagar junction in Ghatkopar, JVLR junction, and Nalanda Nagar in Ghatkopar East. The official highlighted that several measures have been implemented to ensure the motorability of both main and service roads on the highway. He also directed the removal of roadside debris and insisted on continuous repairs to the service roads.
These steps underline BMC’s commitment to maintaining road safety and infrastructure integrity during the challenging monsoon months. The civic body’s stringent timelines and the establishment of an efficient reporting system reflect a robust approach to urban management, ensuring minimal disruption and enhanced safety for Mumbai’s commuters. This initiative showcases BMC’s dedication to proactive governance and its responsiveness to public needs, setting a high standard for municipal administration in the country.
