BMC Sets Deadline For Road Work Completion, Bans Further Digging

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a complete ban on digging newly built roads. Civic officials must complete all road concretisation work by May 31, as per a PTI report.

In an official statement, the BMC said civic commissioner and state-appointed administrator Bhushan Gagrani has issued strict instructions regarding road construction. Once a road is built, digging or trenching will not be allowed. No new roads will be excavated for concretisation.

As part of Mumbai's infrastructure development, work orders have been issued for 324 kilometres (698 roads) in the island city and 377 kilometres (1,420 roads) in the eastern and western suburbs. The BMC aims to complete 75 per cent of this work in the first phase.

"To prevent inconvenience to citizens, excavation of newly constructed roads has been banned after February 22. All ongoing road and related works must be completed by May 31," the statement read.

The decision comes after multiple complaints from residents and activists about newly paved roads being dug up for repairs or utility work. Officials believe this ban will help maintain road quality and reduce public inconvenience.

In other news, commuters using the Sion-Panvel Highway should be aware of a seven-hour traffic restriction on March 7. Authorities will impose the restriction to carry out repairs on the Sanpada foot over-bridge (FOB), which was damaged in an accident last month.

Officials have advised motorists to plan their travel in advance to avoid delays. Further updates on alternative routes and traffic management will be provided by local authorities in the coming days.