The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is spearheading a massive road concretisation project in Mumbai with the goal of converting more than 700 kilometres of asphalt roads into concrete surfaces. The goal of this large-scale initiative is to make the city “pothole-free” by tackling the persistent problem of road deterioration, particularly during the monsoon season. However, because of the scope and concurrent execution of the work, residents have experienced severe disruptions. Currently, 525 kilometres of roadways, or around 25% of the city’s total road network, are being excavated.
The BMC has set a tight deadline to complete the ongoing phase of the project by May 31, ahead of the monsoon’s onset, as construction activities typically halt during the rainy season. Despite these efforts, progress has been slow; as of June 2024, only 9% of the targeted roads have been concretised since the project’s inception 16 months prior. Factors contributing to the delays include challenges in obtaining necessary permissions, navigating dense utility networks beneath the roads, and managing construction in heavily populated areas.
The widespread development has caused annoyance among the locals, who have complained about increased traffic, dust pollution, and general discomfort. The concurrent excavation of many roadways adds to the city’s already overburdened infrastructure, raising questions regarding the project’s design and implementation. Additionally, contractors have pointed up challenges include the requirement for several clearances and the difficulty of navigating around existing utility lines, which frequently lack thorough mapping.
The BMC has hired the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to manage the project’s quality assurance in response to quality concerns. The goal of this partnership is to guarantee that the recently constructed concreted roads fulfil certain requirements and last longer than their asphalt predecessors. With the entire project expected to be finished by December 2026, the BMC is steadfast in its resolve to give Mumbai a strong and dependable road network in spite of the present difficulties.
Source: The Indian Express
