The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation has ordered corrective action against substandard road construction after structural cracks emerged on two major internal roads under development, raising fresh concerns over construction quality and public spending in rapidly growing urban centres. The civic body has directed that damaged sections be demolished and rebuilt at the contractor’s expense, signalling a tougher stance on accountability in municipal infrastructure projects.
The roads under scrutiny connect Netaji Chowk to Kailash Colony and New English School to Lal Chakki—two corridors considered vital for daily mobility within Ulhasnagar. Together, the projects carry an estimated cost of ₹52 crore and have been under construction for over two years. Cracks were reportedly observed at multiple points along both stretches, prompting complaints from residents and citizen groups. Following these representations, the municipal administration ordered a joint site inspection involving civic engineers, representatives from the project implementation agency and the contractor. Officials familiar with the inspection said visible cracking and surface distress were recorded at several junctions and high-traffic locations, indicating possible lapses in material quality, execution standards or supervision.
Based on the inspection findings, the civic body instructed that minor surface cracks be sealed immediately, while structurally compromised sections—where repairs would not guarantee durability—must be fully dismantled and reconstructed. The work is to be carried out at the contractor’s cost, without additional financial burden on the public exchequer. The project is being executed through a regional infrastructure authority, which has since issued a formal notice to the contractor mandating an independent third-party quality audit. The audit is expected to be conducted by a recognised technical institution, with all costs related to testing, evaluation and reporting borne by the contractor. Until the quality assessment is completed and remedial work is certified, payments for the project have been withheld.
Urban infrastructure experts say such enforcement measures are critical in cities where rapid expansion often stretches oversight mechanisms. “Roads are foundational urban assets. Poor construction not only wastes public money but also increases long-term maintenance costs and safety risks,” said an urban planning professional, noting that climate stress and heavy traffic further expose weak construction practices. Citizen groups in Ulhasnagar have repeatedly flagged delays and workmanship issues on the project, arguing that prolonged construction combined with substandard outcomes erodes public trust. Civic officials acknowledged these concerns and said further action would depend on the outcome of the independent quality review.
As Indian cities push to upgrade road networks alongside public transport and utility infrastructure, the Ulhasnagar case highlights the importance of strict quality control, transparent contracting and third-party audits. Ensuring durable, climate-resilient roads is increasingly seen as central to building inclusive and sustainable urban environments that serve citizens over the long term.
Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Orders Rebuild Of Substandard Roads After Cracks Emerge
