The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allowed Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) to carry out pipeline and trenching work round-the-clock to speed up the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure in mumbai. The decision was taken in line with Central Government guidelines amid delays in fuel supply projects.
The large-scale excavation work across the city has increased the cost of trench refilling and road restoration. Now, the civic body has proposed more than doubling the value of its contracts for trench-refilling works across seven zones in Mumbai.
A proposal to increase the contract amount from INR 243.52 crore to INR 583.02 crore was placed before the BMC Standing Committee on Wednesday, May 27. Including taxes, the revised total project cost is expected to reach INR 618 crore.
Data submitted by all 24 administrative wards of the BMC showed that out of the original INR 243.52 crore approved for trench-refilling works, around INR 212.23 crore has already been spent within months of awarding the contracts. The civic body now needs 339.5 crore more to continue the work.
Among the proposed allocations, Zone I has been allotted around INR 59 crore. This zone covers south Mumbai areas from Colaba to Byculla. Zone VI, which includes Ghatkopar, Bhandup, and Mulund, is expected to receive around INR 57 crore. Zone V, covering Kurla, Chembur, and Govandi, has been allocated nearly INR 51.5 crore.
At the same time, the BMC is preparing a new trenching policy to manage the growing number of road excavations across the city. At present, utility companies pay the BMC for road restoration after pipelines or cables are installed. The civic body appoints contractors to refill trenches and restore roads.
Under the proposed policy, utility companies may be made directly responsible for restoring the roads they excavate. The civic body is also considering charging much higher fees to agencies that choose the existing BMC-led road restoration system.
Trenching permissions are currently given only during non-monsoon months. As per reports, BMC now believes that allowing utility companies to handle restoration themselves could lead to faster repairs after trenching work and reduce delays.
The new policy is still being finalised. Road excavation by utility agencies has remained a major civic issue in Mumbai for years. Roads are frequently dug up for laying pipelines, drainage lines, and cables. Many roads are excavated multiple times by different agencies. The BMC grants excavation permissions with deadlines and road restoration conditions.
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