Mumbai Roads to Be Monsoon-Ready by May 31
In a decisive move to tackle Mumbai’s perennial monsoon woes, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued stringent directives to contractors, mandating the completion of all ongoing roadworks by 31 May 2025. This directive comes in response to mounting public grievances over extensive roadworks leading to severe traffic congestion across the city.
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has categorically instructed that no new road-digging projects are to be initiated until the current works are concluded. However, projects that can be feasibly completed before the onset of the monsoon will proceed, ensuring Mumbai’s roads are motorable and safe during the rain-heavy season. Highlighting the civic body’s ambitious road concreting initiative, Gagrani acknowledged public concerns regarding the concreting of roads already in good condition. He assured that if residents formally object to specific roadworks, citing their satisfactory state, the BMC will consider such requests. This approach reflects the administration’s shift towards citizen-centric urban planning, where public feedback shapes infrastructure priorities.
In a collaborative effort to ease Mumbai’s notorious traffic snarls, the BMC is working closely with key agencies like the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The focus is on decongesting arterial routes, including the Western and Eastern Express Highways, and ensuring smooth traffic flow across other major roads. Moreover, the civic body has actively engaged with citizens during the city’s budget planning for FY 2025-26, receiving 2,238 suggestions from residents. These inputs have been meticulously reviewed, with several integrated into the upcoming budget, underscoring BMC’s commitment to participatory governance. As Mumbai braces for the monsoon, the BMC’s proactive strategy aims not just to patch potholes but to lay the groundwork for sustainable, long-term road resilience—ensuring that Mumbai’s lifelines remain robust, rain or shine.
