Mumbai: BMC Launches Comprehensive Action Plan to Tackle Potholes with Secondary Engineers

As Mumbai faces the inevitable onset of the monsoon season, potholes have once again become a major concern for commuters. In a bid to prevent the widespread issues that have plagued the city’s roads in previous years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken immediate action by appointing secondary engineers across all 227 wards in the city. These engineers will focus on inspecting roads, identifying potholes, and ensuring that necessary repairs are carried out swiftly and efficiently.

While the BMC is already engaged in a significant mega-concretisation project, which was launched in 2022 to make Mumbai’s roads ‘pothole-free’, there is still a pressing need for maintenance, particularly on roads that have yet to be concretised. To tackle this issue head-on, the BMC has allocated a substantial budget of Rs 154 crore for pothole repairs this year. This fund will primarily focus on filling in potholes that develop as the monsoon rains intensify, helping maintain the quality and safety of the city’s roads.

Despite efforts to reduce the number of potholes over the past three years, Mumbai’s road conditions continue to deteriorate during the monsoon. Abhijit Bangar, the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), shared that the BMC has appointed secondary engineers to inspect and monitor nearly 10 to 15 kilometers of roads per ward. These engineers will be required to travel on bikes every two days, enabling them to cover the roads more effectively and identify any emerging issues, particularly potholes that pose a risk to drivers and pedestrians.

In a bid to enhance the overall quality of the repairs, BMC officials have instructed engineers to fill potholes that are 6 to 12 inches deep using high-quality mastic asphalt. This material is known for its durability and reliability, ensuring that the repairs can withstand the rigors of Mumbai’s climate and heavy traffic. Officials have emphasized that cold mix alternatives will not be used for this crucial repair work, as it does not offer the same long-lasting results.

Bangar further explained that the BMC has set up a mechanism to ensure that the mastic cookers used for pothole repairs are well-maintained and available whenever required. Contractors are also mandated to equip their mastic cooker vehicles with GPS devices and tracking systems, which will improve accountability and efficiency. This innovative step is expected to help the BMC monitor the progress of pothole repairs more closely and ensure timely completion.

These steps are part of the BMC’s larger plan to improve road conditions in Mumbai, which has faced rapid urbanization and an ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road. The new system of secondary engineers working closely with contractors and implementing precise guidelines for pothole repairs marks a significant move towards more organized and timely road maintenance. This initiative will also ensure that, despite the seasonal challenges, Mumbai’s roads will remain safer for residents and commuters alike.

The BMC's focus on quick, reliable, and sustainable solutions is a step in the right direction for tackling the recurring issue of potholes in Mumbai. With these measures in place, the civic body aims to ensure that the city’s infrastructure remains in good condition and resilient against the monsoon season’s impact.