The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a comprehensive initiative to repair and restore all city roads, ensuring that Mumbai’s residents and visitors experience smooth travel during the festive season.
The directive, issued by Mumbai’s Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), mandates that all roads be made pothole-free before Ganesh Chaturthi. To achieve this ambitious goal, the BMC has committed to an intensive road repair campaign over the next ten days. The project will primarily utilise the ‘mastic’ method, a proven technique for effective road repairs. This approach has yielded positive results in previous road maintenance efforts across the city and is expected to play a crucial role in the current operation.
The BMC’s Commissioner and Administrator have issued strict orders to expedite the repair process, with a particular focus on addressing potholes and other road issues before the Ganesh immersion ceremonies. These directives were reinforced during a high-level meeting at the BMC headquarters, attended by senior officials including the Chief Engineer (Roads) and other key engineers. Mumbai’s Ganesh festival is one of the city’s most significant celebrations, drawing large crowds and vibrant processions. In recognition of this, the BMC is taking proactive measures to prevent any inconvenience to citizens during the festivities.
The municipal administration has mobilised a substantial workforce to ensure the timely completion of these repairs. As part of this initiative, 227 junior engineers, one assigned to each municipal ward, will conduct daily road inspections. They are tasked with promptly repairing any detected potholes using the mastic method. Additionally, assistant engineers, executive engineers, and deputy chief engineers are required to actively participate in field inspections to ensure the repairs meet the necessary standards.
Despite the planned repairs, there is concern that heavy rains before the Ganesh immersion could compromise the work done. Consequently, all repair teams have been urged to remain vigilant and responsive to any emerging issues. The BMC has also emphasised the need for meticulous coordination among various departments to ensure the successful execution of the road repair plan. To support the repair efforts, the BMC has ensured that mastic cookers, essential for the road repair process, are in good working condition and readily available. Contractors have been instructed to maintain a steady supply of mastic material and to make prompt arrangements to meet any surges in demand.
