The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering withdrawing around Rs 380 crore worth of road-concretisation work after construction failed to begin on 275 roads, putting further pressure on Mumbai’s ambitious road upgrade programme.
The proposed action involves NCC Limited and Eagle Infra India Limited, which were awarded packages covering parts of the island city and eastern suburbs. The civic body has instructed the contractors to complete stretches where work is already underway but refrain from commencing construction on the remaining roads. These pending stretches are expected to be included in a new tender, likely to be issued early next year after approval from Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
The proposed contract changes mark the first major move by the BMC to withdraw awarded road work since the concretisation programme began in 2023.
Under the broader initiative, the civic body has awarded contracts worth approximately Rs 17,700 crore for the concretisation of 2,175 roads spanning 712 km across Mumbai. The project was launched to address recurring potholes and improve road durability.
Progress, however, has varied considerably between areas. In the island city, 335 roads were included in the programme, with 146 completed. In the eastern suburbs, 363 roads were taken up, of which 211 have reportedly been completed.
Contractors have cited operational restrictions for delays. Eagle Infra told The Indian Express that it had completed 154 of the 182 roads assigned to it across areas including Mankhurd, Chembur, Ghatkopar and Mulund.
NCC, meanwhile, pointed to restrictions on road closures in locations such as Marine Drive, Churchgate, Colaba and Malabar Hill. Its spokesperson said several roads could not be shut for more than four hours because of their importance and location. The company also cited Mumbai’s four-month monsoon period, during which concretisation work cannot proceed.
The BMC has maintained that both contractors progressed slowly despite repeated warnings.
With the formal deadline set for March 2027, civic officials have indicated that completing the remaining work within the timeframe will be difficult. A fresh tender will add another procurement and mobilisation phase.
The proposed revocation now awaits the municipal commissioner’s approval. Until the replacement process is completed, the 275 unstarted roads remain a significant pending component of Mumbai’s citywide concretisation programme.
Source: Urban Acres
