Mumbai: The BMC’s ambitious push for the concretisation of city roads is already showing cracks — literally.
Bhargav Road in Santacruz, constructed earlier this year, has developed visible cracks, sparking outrage among residents who claim the work was substandard. Parts of the road, laid as recently as Oct, have begun to crumble. Former BJP corporator from the area, Hetal Gala, alleged that the construction was rushed and lacked adequate curing time. “This work is being carried out by Nagarjuna Construction Company (a Hyderabad-based infrastructure and construction company). Looking at the shoddy nature of the roads laid, it appears that the company lacks the experience to carry out works at this level,” said Gala, adding that the concrete roads have a defect liability period of five years, while these roads haven’t even managed to sustain well for five months.
Local BJP MLA Ashish Shelar inspected the site on Wednesday, demanding an immediate inquiry into the quality control and audit processes for roadworks. He called for strict action against both the contractor and negligent civic officials. Shelar told TOI, “Apart from cracks, potholes have also developed, raising doubts on the kind of supervision being done by civic officers. The plan to concretise the roads is good, but if not implemented well, what is the use? There is a BMC chowky which is supposed to be equipped with civic staff for monitoring the work at all times. This shabby work will lead to money going down the drain.”
This failure comes in stark contrast to the promises of former Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, who called concrete roads the solution to Mumbai’s notorious pothole problem. However, the current state of city roads suggests that the promise of a pothole-free Mumbai remains a distant dream.
When contacted, BMC officers said they will check the issue and action will be taken against the concerned contractor and also the auditor involved. “A meeting was also held by the municipal commissioner on Dec 5 last week, wherein dissatisfaction was expressed regarding the substandard quality of the road works. This is being viewed seriously,” said an officer.
In Jan 2023, a two-year road concreting mega-contract was awarded to five companies: Nagarjuna Construction Company, Eagle Infra India, Roadways Solutions India, Megha Engineers & Infrastructure, and Dineshchandra Agrawal Infracon, at a cost of approximately Rs 6,080 crore.
Mumbai: The BMC’s ambitious push for the concretisation of city roads is already showing cracks — literally.
Bhargav Road in Santacruz, constructed earlier this year, has developed visible cracks, sparking outrage among residents who claim the work was substandard. Parts of the road, laid as recently as Oct, have begun to crumble. Former BJP corporator from the area, Hetal Gala, alleged that the construction was rushed and lacked adequate curing time. “This work is being carried out by Nagarjuna Construction Company (a Hyderabad-based infrastructure and construction company). Looking at the shoddy nature of the roads laid, it appears that the company lacks the experience to carry out works at this level,” said Gala, adding that the concrete roads have a defect liability period of five years, while these roads haven’t even managed to sustain well for five months.
Local BJP MLA Ashish Shelar inspected the site on Wednesday, demanding an immediate inquiry into the quality control and audit processes for roadworks. He called for strict action against both the contractor and negligent civic officials. Shelar told TOI, “Apart from cracks, potholes have also developed, raising doubts on the kind of supervision being done by civic officers. The plan to concretise the roads is good, but if not implemented well, what is the use? There is a BMC chowky which is supposed to be equipped with civic staff for monitoring the work at all times. This shabby work will lead to money going down the drain.”
This failure comes in stark contrast to the promises of former Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, who called concrete roads the solution to Mumbai’s notorious pothole problem. However, the current state of city roads suggests that the promise of a pothole-free Mumbai remains a distant dream.
When contacted, BMC officers said they will check the issue and action will be taken against the concerned contractor and also the auditor involved. “A meeting was also held by the municipal commissioner on Dec 5 last week, wherein dissatisfaction was expressed regarding the substandard quality of the road works. This is being viewed seriously,” said an officer.
In Jan 2023, a two-year road concreting mega-contract was awarded to five companies: Nagarjuna Construction Company, Eagle Infra India, Roadways Solutions India, Megha Engineers & Infrastructure, and Dineshchandra Agrawal Infracon, at a cost of approximately Rs 6,080 crore.
