The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a significant increase in spending on trench-refilling works across Mumbai as large-scale road excavations continue for the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure and utility projects across the city.
According to a proposal placed before the Standing Committee, the civic body plans to raise trench-refilling contract allocations from Rs 243.52 crore to Rs 583.02 crore. Including taxes, the revised overall project cost is estimated at nearly Rs 618 crore.
The sharp increase follows intensified trenching and pipeline activities undertaken by Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) after the BMC permitted round-the-clock excavation work to accelerate PNG infrastructure development under Central Government directives linked to global fuel supply concerns.
Data submitted by the BMC’s 24 administrative wards showed that out of the originally sanctioned Rs 243.52 crore for trench-refilling contracts across seven zones, nearly Rs 212.23 crore has already been utilised within months of awarding the contracts.
The civic administration has now sought an additional Rs 339.5 crore to continue the restoration works. Some of the largest proposed allocations include Rs 59 crore for Zone I covering south Mumbai from Colaba to Byculla, Rs 57 crore for Zone VI covering Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Mulund, and Rs 51.5 crore for Zone V covering Kurla, Chembur and Govandi.
Meanwhile, the BMC is also considering a new trenching policy aimed at addressing repeated road digging and poor restoration quality across Mumbai.
Currently, roads excavated by utility agencies are restored through contractors appointed by the civic body, with the agencies reimbursing the costs. Under the proposed policy, utility agencies may instead be made directly responsible for restoring roads after excavation.
Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said, “Trenching permissions are granted only during non-monsoon months and the existing system of appointing civic contractors for road reinstatement was introduced to ensure standardised restoration matching the specifications of the original road surface.”
Officials said the proposed framework aims to improve accountability, reduce delays in road repairs and minimise repeated disruptions caused by multiple excavation works across the city.
Source: The Free Press Journal
