Mumbai: In a major push to transform Mumbai’s road infrastructure, Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that all ongoing cement concretization works under the city’s Pothole-Free Roads Project will be completed by May 31, 2025.
Speaking after inspecting roadworks across Mumbai and its eastern suburbs, Shinde said the project is on a fast track to improve connectivity and road safety before the monsoon. Key stretches inspected included Bombay Hospital Junction, R.S. Sapre Marg, Jame Jamshed Road in Matunga, and Road No. 21 in Chembur.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is currently executing concrete road works across 400 kilometers, while 1,333 kilometers of roads have already been concretized. The remaining work is divided into two phases, with an emphasis on completing junction-to-junction (chowk to chowk) stretches.
Shinde interacted with residents during his inspection and directed officials to ensure that roads are traffic-ready and that manholes and stormwater drains are cleaned in time for the rains.
He emphasized that cement concrete roads are the only permanent solution to Mumbai’s recurring pothole problems. “Once these roads are completed, they won’t need to be dug up again, and potholes will no longer trouble Mumbaikars,” Shinde said.
To ensure the highest quality of work, IIT Bombay has been appointed as an independent audit agency. BMC engineers and senior officials are monitoring the work on-site. Shinde revealed that contractors failing to maintain quality have already been fined over ₹3.5 crore, and strict action including blacklisting will follow for repeat offenders.
Accompanying Shinde on the visit were Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and senior civic officials.
The Deputy CM also called for the eco-friendly execution of the project. Trees must be preserved, proper tree guards installed, and monsoon plantation drives conducted with public participation.
With clear timelines, strict monitoring, and accountability, the city is moving steadily toward a pothole-free future.
