The construction of underground utility ducts as part of Mumbai’s large-scale road concretisation projects has come under scrutiny after concerns were raised about high costs and their actual utilisation.
Congress leader and former corporator Sheetal Mhatre has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demanding a comprehensive technical and financial audit of these ducts across the city. She has also called for the audit findings to be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.
In a letter addressed to Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, Mhatre pointed out that the cost of constructing standard underground ducts appears significantly high. According to the specifications she reviewed, a standard duct section with eight pipes—arranged in two rows of four—costs around ₹79,134 per running metre. With 18 per cent GST included, the cost increases to ₹93,378 per metre, amounting to approximately ₹9.34 crore per kilometre. These figures exclude additional expenses for duct chambers, cast iron frames and covers, which further raise the overall project cost.
Mhatre also highlighted several operational concerns. She questioned the design and scale of the ducts, noting inconsistencies in the number of ducts installed in different locations and suggesting that the eight-pipe design could be excessive. She further pointed out that many ducts appear to be underutilised, with utility agencies often digging up recently concretised roads despite the presence of these facilities.
The letter also raised issues related to maintenance and accountability. According to Mhatre, instances of missing or damaged duct chambers and cast iron frames raise questions about possible theft, poor maintenance and lack of monitoring.
To address these concerns, she urged the civic administration to conduct a citywide audit to verify how the ducts are being used by power, telecom and other utility agencies. She also recommended developing an integrated utility corridor policy for Mumbai, reviewing the need for eight-pipe ducts and identifying unused infrastructure. Bangar was unavailable for comment on the matter.
Source: The Free Press Journal
