+
 BMC spent Rs 21k cr on repair, maintenance, construction of roads
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

BMC spent Rs 21k cr on repair, maintenance, construction of roads

According to the response given by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to a Right to Information (RTI) application, the civic body has used more than Rs 21,000 crore on the repair, maintenance and construction of new roads in over two decades.

The data further revealed that Rs 3,201 crore was used between 2013 and 2014. Shortly after, in 2015, the road scam came to knowledge, raising questions over the expense.

Andheri MLA Ameet Satam, in a reply to his RTI plea asking details, told the media that this January, the BMC said that its road department had used over Rs 21,000 crore since 1997.

Satam said that bad roads are among the most pressing issues in Mumbai city, yet their condition has not improved for decades. There are various causes for this, one being the lack of coordination between many utility agencies and the BMC. When a road is freshly constructed, the very next year it is dug for laying of cables. Another challenge is that no major road construction company comes forward to take up works as the tender size is insignificant for them.

Data from the BMC’s pothole complaints website reveals that their numbers have surged to 437 compared to 315 in 2020. Dhaval Shah of Andheri Lokhandwala Residents’ Association told the media that citizens need not complain about potholes. The civic body has its ward level teams that are likely to move around. They should guarantee that a pothole or any bad road patch in their ward is filled once they notice it, said Shah.

Authorities called it a vicious circle as adequate quality checks are not done when a road is repaired, no one asks for the best quality work for the huge amount of money paid, and, traffic is only increasing, putting greater pressure on city roads, which go on to improve potholes or rough patches in a few years after repairs.

Image Source


Also read: Gramin Sadak Yojana: West Bengal to redevelop 10 year old roads

Also read: BMC to redevelop and beautify Saat Rasta in central Mumbai

According to the response given by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to a Right to Information (RTI) application, the civic body has used more than Rs 21,000 crore on the repair, maintenance and construction of new roads in over two decades. The data further revealed that Rs 3,201 crore was used between 2013 and 2014. Shortly after, in 2015, the road scam came to knowledge, raising questions over the expense. Andheri MLA Ameet Satam, in a reply to his RTI plea asking details, told the media that this January, the BMC said that its road department had used over Rs 21,000 crore since 1997. Satam said that bad roads are among the most pressing issues in Mumbai city, yet their condition has not improved for decades. There are various causes for this, one being the lack of coordination between many utility agencies and the BMC. When a road is freshly constructed, the very next year it is dug for laying of cables. Another challenge is that no major road construction company comes forward to take up works as the tender size is insignificant for them. Data from the BMC’s pothole complaints website reveals that their numbers have surged to 437 compared to 315 in 2020. Dhaval Shah of Andheri Lokhandwala Residents’ Association told the media that citizens need not complain about potholes. The civic body has its ward level teams that are likely to move around. They should guarantee that a pothole or any bad road patch in their ward is filled once they notice it, said Shah. Authorities called it a vicious circle as adequate quality checks are not done when a road is repaired, no one asks for the best quality work for the huge amount of money paid, and, traffic is only increasing, putting greater pressure on city roads, which go on to improve potholes or rough patches in a few years after repairs. Image Source Also read: Gramin Sadak Yojana: West Bengal to redevelop 10 year old roads Also read: BMC to redevelop and beautify Saat Rasta in central Mumbai

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?