Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken stern action against multiple contractors and ready-mix concrete (RMC) suppliers following severe delays in cement concretization works and discrepancies detected in slump tests of concrete materials.
A contractor responsible for inexcusable delays in the concretization of roads in Aarey Colony has been blacklisted from participating in any BMC tenders for two years and fined ₹5 lakh. In addition, the registrations of two RMC plants have been cancelled after slump tests revealed quality issues. Both plants are now barred from supplying concrete for BMC projects for six months. Separately, two road contractors have each been penalized ₹20 lakh for delivering substandard work.
These measures come as part of BMC’s accelerated drive to make Mumbai’s roads pothole-free through extensive cement concretization. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has made it clear that quality lapses will not be tolerated and any negligence will invite strict punitive action.
To ensure projects are completed on time and to high standards, the BMC has introduced micro-planning with fixed deadlines for each road. Field engineers have been instructed to be present at worksites, and senior officials are conducting surprise inspections to verify quality. Any deficiencies are being addressed immediately and firmly.
For example, during a surprise inspection at Dr. Neetu Mandke Marg in the ‘M-East’ ward, a mismatch in slump readings at the RMC plant (160 mm) and the worksite (170 mm) led to the rejection of the concrete mix and a ₹20 lakh fine for the supplier. Similarly, on April 1, an inspection at Jail Road in the ‘B’ ward revealed slump values of 65 mm at the plant and 180 mm on-site — a clear discrepancy that resulted in a six-month ban for the supplier and additional penalties.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar stressed that BMC officers are closely monitoring all road projects. “No compromise on quality will be tolerated. Those found guilty will face severe consequences,” he said.
The BMC has reiterated the critical role of slump tests — a standard method for assessing concrete workability — and made them mandatory both at RMC plants and on-site to ensure consistent quality and adherence to specifications.
