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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is currently working on nearly 400 kilometres of roads across the city, aiming to make them durable and pothole-free before the monsoon
With a tight deadline and clear instructions, the city’s administration is now under pressure to deliver smoother, safer roads in just over a month. (File pic: PTI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde has directed that all ongoing concrete road works under the pothole-free project must be completed by May 31, 2025. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is currently working on nearly 400 kilometres of roads across the city, aiming to make them durable and pothole-free before the monsoon.
Shinde stressed that no compromise on quality will be tolerated. Any contractor found delivering substandard work will face strict action. So far, penalties worth Rs 3.5 crore have been imposed on errant contractors. “From now on, poor-quality work will result in disqualification,” he warned.
The inspection began at the Bombay Hospital junction and covered several areas, including RS Sapre Marg in C Ward, Jame Jamshed Road in Matunga, and Road No. 21 in Chembur. Accompanied by Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and senior BMC officials, Shinde also interacted with local residents to understand ground-level issues.
Highlighting that concrete roads are a permanent solution, Shinde said, “Once built properly, these roads won’t need digging or repairs. We are committed to making Mumbai truly pothole-free.”
To ensure high standards, IIT-Bombay has been roped in as a third-party quality checker. BMC engineers are also monitoring work directly on-site. “Officials performing well will be recognised. Those delaying work will face action,” Shinde added.
He instructed that junction-to-junction stretches must be completed on time, and roads should be made traffic-ready even if some finishing work remains. Advanced techniques like geopolymer filling, infrared tech, microsurfacing, and mastic use have been advised for fast and effective pothole repair.
Shinde also emphasised environmental responsibility—no damage to trees, proper tree maintenance, protective fencing, and support for monsoon plantation drives with public participation. He directed immediate cleaning of manholes and drains to avoid waterlogging during rains. With a tight deadline and clear instructions, the city’s administration is now under pressure to deliver smoother, safer roads in just over a month.