Mumbai’s ambitious road concretisation project, launched with the goal of creating a pothole-free city, continues to face delays, leaving residents frustrated. Over a year into Phase 1, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed only 46 km of the planned 324 km. Work is ongoing on 213 roads, while another 298 are still awaiting action.
Phase 2, which involves 1,420 roads, has also seen slow progress, with work started on just 433 roads so far. Delays in both phases, caused by a mix of logistical hurdles, contractor issues, and election-related administrative bottlenecks, have severely impacted the city’s infrastructure improvement plans. By mid-June 2024, the BMC had managed to complete only 30% of Phase 1 work. However, the monsoon season stalled construction for four months, with work resuming on October 1. A new contractor has since been appointed to handle 208 roads in the island city after the termination of the initial contract due to non-performance. Phase 2 has also been fraught with challenges, including delays due to the model code of conduct during the state assembly elections and pending traffic police permissions. Out of 1,420 roads planned for Phase 2, work on 989 roads is yet to commence.
A civic official stated that completing a cement concrete road typically takes 30 to 45 days, from excavation to project handover. However, the project has been particularly slow in South Mumbai, where progress has lagged significantly. The original contractor for roadworks in this area, Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIIL), was fined ₹64.6 crore after failing to initiate work nearly a year into the project. Despite these setbacks, the BMC has set an ambitious target to complete Phase 1 by May 31, 2025. In this phase, a total of 377 km of roads remain to be concretised, which includes roads from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 in South Mumbai. The challenges highlight the urgent need for improved planning, accountability, and contractor performance to meet deadlines.
