Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has formally addressed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Commissioner, urging decisive action against contractors responsible for the substantial delays in cement concrete (CC) road projects across Mumbai.
In his letter, Narwekar stressed that a mere 15 percent of the planned CC road works have been completed citywide, which he deemed unacceptable. Narwekar provided a detailed account of the progress in various zones, revealing significant disparities. “In Zone III, only 5 kilometres of CC road work have been completed, while Zone IV has marginally better progress with 10 kilometres,” he noted. He further highlighted the dire situation in Zones V, VI, and VII, where only 2 kilometres of CC road work have been completed in each zone.
The former corporator demanded that the BMC take stringent penal action against the negligent contractors. “Given that only 15 percent of the CC road works have been completed citywide, I demand that penal action be taken against the contractors responsible for the delays,” Narwekar stated. He also urged the civic body to issue show-cause notices to these contractors, compelling them to justify why they should not be blacklisted. “Shockingly, a mere 21 kilometers of CC roads have been completed across all five zones. This does not include two zones from South Mumbai. This level of progress is wholly unacceptable, especially considering the prolonged inconvenience endured by Mumbaikars over the past year and a half due to the neglect and inefficiency in executing these vital CC road works,” said Narwekar.
Narwekar emphasised the potential impact of these delays on Mumbai’s citizens, particularly with the monsoon season approaching. The delay in execution of the CC roads will result in Mumbaikars enduring bumpy rides on substandard roads during the monsoon, he warned. Narwekar’s appeal underscores the urgent need for improved accountability and efficiency in Mumbai’s road infrastructure projects. As the city grapples with chronic traffic congestion and deteriorating road conditions, timely completion of CC road works is crucial to enhance overall mobility and safety for residents. His call for action reflects the broader public sentiment that the BMC must prioritise infrastructure development to meet the growing demands of one of India’s largest metropolitan areas.
