The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a directive to its ward-level officials to ensure that all pothole-related complaints across the city are resolved within 24 hours. The order was given by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar during a review meeting of the roads and traffic department held at the civic headquarters on Friday.
Strict Quality Norms and Timely Repairs
Bangar instructed engineers to adhere strictly to prescribed technical standards and quality norms while repairing potholes. Damaged road patches must be resurfaced without any delay. According to BMC officials, nearly 1,700 kilometers of Mumbai's total 2,000 kilometers of roads have already been concretised. The remaining stretches are under progress and are scheduled for completion after the monsoon season.
Proactive Inspections and Beat Engineers
The additional municipal commissioner also directed ward-level secondary engineers to conduct regular inspections of two-wheelers and proactively identify road damage instead of waiting for citizen complaints. Each of the 227 appointed beat engineers has been tasked with daily field visits to ensure timely detection and repair of potholes. This proactive approach aims to address issues before they escalate.
Scientific Repair Methods and Contractor Accountability
The civic body has instructed contractors to use scientifically approved methods, including mastic laying, to ensure the durability of repairs. Officials have been asked to monitor the availability of equipment, materials, and repair schedules. Potholes should be addressed when they are still small to prevent further road deterioration. BMC reiterated that pothole repairs on roads under the defect liability period must be carried out by contractors at their own cost, and no payment will be made for such work. Action, including penalties, will be taken if excessive pothole formation is observed on these stretches.
Strict Monitoring of Key Arterial Roads
Key arterial roads such as the Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway, and Eastern Freeway have been placed under strict monitoring to ensure they remain pothole-free. The civic body has encouraged citizens to use the MyBMC MARG complaint system, which allows users to upload photos and location details of potholes for faster redressal. This digital tool aims to streamline the complaint process and improve response times.
BMC's latest measures underscore its commitment to maintaining road quality and ensuring the safety of commuters in Mumbai.
