The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) has launched a stringent crackdown on alleged substandard construction after significant cracks were discovered on two major under-construction roads in the city. The civic body has mandated the demolition and complete reconstruction of the damaged sections, holding the contractor financially accountable for the failures.
Inspection Reveals Widespread Defects
Acting on persistent complaints from citizens and activists, UMC Commissioner Manisha Awhale ordered a detailed joint inspection of the problematic road projects. The inspection team, which included officials from the public works department and contractor representatives, found alarming cracks at multiple critical locations.
The affected sites included Netaji Chowk, Bhatiya Chowk, Kurla Camp Chowk, the entrance near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, and Kailash Colony. The discovery confirmed public fears about the inferior quality of workmanship on these vital infrastructure projects.
Strict Directives Issued to MMRDA and Contractor
Based on the damning inspection report, the UMC issued clear instructions to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the project. The authority was told to ensure that minor cracks are filled immediately. More critically, for severely damaged sections where repairs would be ineffective, the UMC demanded complete demolition and reconstruction.
The MMRDA subsequently served a formal notice to the contractor, Nikhil Construction Group Pvt Ltd. The notice mandates a third-party quality inspection through a reputed technical institute like VJTI. Crucially, all costs for this testing, reporting, and further investigation will be borne solely by the contractor. Furthermore, all payments to the firm have been frozen until a satisfactory quality report is submitted and all corrective work is finished.
Project History and Public Outcry
The road construction work, affecting the stretch from Netaji Chowk to Kailash Colony and from New English School to Lal Chakki, has been a source of public frustration for over two years. With an estimated cost of Rs 52 crore, these roads are crucial for city connectivity, making the quality issues even more severe.
Social activist Satyajit Burman of the Ulhasnagar Citizens Forum, who highlighted the issue, revealed that the contract was awarded in April 2023 with an 18-month completion deadline. "Even after two-and-a-half years, the work is progressing at a very slow pace and the quality is unacceptable," Burman stated, echoing the community's discontent. The forum's repeated complaints ultimately forced the civic administration to intervene.
Project management consultant Pentacle Consultants has formally directed the contractor to comply with the UMC's demolition and reconstruction orders. The future course of action, including potential penalties, will depend on the findings of the independent third-party quality audit. This move marks a significant step by the Ulhasnagar authorities to enforce accountability in public infrastructure spending.
