Ongoing road excavation and infrastructure work across Mumbai have triggered widespread frustration among residents, who say prolonged delays, traffic congestion, and lack of pedestrian access are severely affecting daily life. While citizens acknowledge that these projects are aimed at long-term improvements, the slow pace of execution and repeated digging of the same stretches have intensified concerns.
In Marol, particularly between the metro station and Bhawani Nagar and Vijay Nagar, residents report heavy congestion and minimal visible progress despite work continuing for over a month. With one side of the road dug up, the remaining narrow lane has been converted into a two-way stretch, raising safety risks.
Kiara Santis said, “Ongoing work can be seen on the Vijaynagar side. But whenever I have passed, whether morning or evening, I have not seen any work happening there. This is leading to huge queues of vehicles till Bhawani Nagar and on the road towards Marol Metro station. What would usually take us 10 minutes now takes at least 30 minutes during evening peak hours.”
Gyanindra Mishra added, “I have no complaints against any individual or any particular body. It is the same situation across Mumbai. However, I request that we have a 5-10 year plan for every location in each ward, so that multiple diggings and duplication or triplication of effort could be avoided and the cost savings be used in other assignments.”
In Dongri, Nishanpada Road No. 9 has remained closed for two months, with residents alleging no response to repeated complaints. Ashfaque Ahmed Anwer Ahmed said, “We understand that the lines and cables need to be installed. But why do the workers not work around the clock and finish the work quickly? We see them simply sitting around at times.”
Aslam Malkani highlighted emergency risks, stating, “We have written letters and complaint emails to the ward office. What if the residents face an emergency? Neither a fire truck nor an ambulance can enter the lane or reach these residents via any alternative road.”
Similar issues have been reported in Thane’s Lokmanya Nagar and South Mumbai’s Kalbadevi, where dug-up roads, lack of footpaths, and stalled work have disrupted mobility and raised safety concerns.
Source: Mid-day
