In a bid to improve road conditions during the monsoon season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed its road department officials to ensure that all pothole-related complaints are addressed within 24 hours of being reported.
The directive was issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar during a review meeting focused on monsoon preparedness and road maintenance across Mumbai.
According to civic officials, the city's ongoing road concretisation programme has already covered nearly 1,700 kilometres of roads. Work on the remaining stretches is underway. The administration noted that the large-scale conversion of roads to cement concrete has contributed to a noticeable decline in pothole formation and road maintenance complaints this monsoon.
To strengthen monitoring efforts, road engineers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections and remain vigilant about road conditions in their respective areas. Secondary engineers assigned across Mumbai's 227 municipal wards have been asked to travel through their designated zones on two-wheelers each day, identify damaged road sections and ensure prompt repairs.
The BMC has emphasized a proactive approach, directing officials not to wait for public complaints before initiating repair work. Engineers have been told to identify and address potholes as soon as they appear.
The civic body has also stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards during repair work. Officials have been instructed to supervise contractors closely and ensure that repairs follow approved technical guidelines and scientific methods.
Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of mastic material for pothole repairs, as it is considered more durable and less prone to deterioration during heavy rainfall.
Major road networks, including the Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway and Eastern Freeway, have been identified as priority corridors where pothole formation must be prevented through continuous monitoring and maintenance.
The BMC further stated that it will coordinate with various government agencies responsible for roads under different jurisdictions to ensure timely repairs across the city.
Bangar also reiterated that roads currently covered under the Defect Liability Period (DLP) must be repaired by contractors at their own expense, as required under contractual agreements. No additional payments will be made by the civic body for such repairs. Contractors may face penalties if roads under their maintenance responsibility develop an excessive number of potholes.
To enhance transparency, the municipal administration has directed the road department to publish detailed information regarding project roads, DLP-covered roads and non-DLP roads on the BMC's official website.
The measures are part of the civic body's broader efforts to improve road safety, reduce inconvenience to commuters and ensure quicker response to infrastructure issues during the monsoon season.
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