BMC targets pothole-free roads by 2027; to concretise 622 km of roads in Mumbai

The high intensity rains damaging the roads during the monsoon season in Mumbai is a matter of grave concern. In order to make roads pothole-proof and durable in the long run, the BMC is undertaking concretisation, resurfacing and repair work of roads across the city, especially those that are frequently affected by heavy downpour.

A total of 622 km of roads will be concretised, and to avoid digging up of these roads in the future, replacement work of old pipelines will also be undertaken simultaneously.

The sole planning authority for road maintenance in Mumbai under the city's Urban Development Department will also be developed. Reportedly, the body will be tasked to overlook various road repair projects across the city. The move is aimed at adopting a more vigilant and responsive mechanism to pre-empt the wear and tear of roads during monsoons.

Additionally, more budget allocation for infrastructure and better technology will help in the long run. BMC, under its jurisdiction, has 2,039 km of roads, of which the civic body has already concretised 1,400 km of roads. As per BMC officials, the roads in the western suburbs top the list of bad roads in Mumbai. Work towards the same has already started on a priority basis.

Reportedly, before the concretisation of roads is kickstarted, old pipelines will be replaced in the western suburbs from Bandra to Dahisar at an estimated cost of ₹12 crores. The project is expected to be completed before the onset of the next monsoon season.

Apart from this, tenders have been floated for the concretisation of roads in Vile Parle, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar.

In the last two years, the city has recorded over 3,000 mm of rainfall. With all said and done, road repair work is one of the most crucial attempts of BMC in beautifying the city.