Abhijit Bangar directs close supervision and timely execution to meet May 31 deadline
As concrete road projects across the municipal limits near completion, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Mr. Abhijit Bangar has instructed all executive and senior engineers from the Roads and Traffic Department to conduct field visits and directly review the progress on-site. During these inspections, they are to evaluate ongoing work and provide necessary guidance to assistant and junior engineers.
Mr. Bangar conducted a late-night inspection of road works in the City division and emphasized that with most roads nearing completion under the concrete road initiative, finishing works—such as thermoplastic lining, cat’s eyes, signage, and traffic markings—are progressing rapidly. To meet the set deadline of May 31, 2025, pace and precision have been prioritized.
Following the completion of the Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) work, the remaining portions of the roads are to be finalized using the mastic asphalt method. Mr. Bangar stressed that under no circumstances should the work quality be compromised and directed field engineers to maintain utmost vigilance and ensure high construction standards.
If a contractor delays or fails to initiate mastic asphalt work by May 25, alternative contractors should be engaged, with all costs recovered from the original contractor. Furthermore, a penalty amounting to double the project expenditure is to be levied on such defaulting contractors.
Citywide Concrete Road Works Accelerated Before Monsoon
The BMC’s initiative to make roads pothole-free is well underway, with a comprehensive timeline targeting completion before the monsoon sets in. On May 22, 2025, Mr. Bangar held a zone-wise review meeting at the BMC headquarters, followed by an inspection tour across key locations in the City division. He issued several key instructions during this site visit.
As per the reviewed progress, large-scale PQC works have been completed in the City, Eastern, and Western suburbs. Joint cutting and sealing have also been carried out. Mr. Bangar stressed that no substandard work will be tolerated and directed senior engineers to understand and address site-specific challenges directly.
To enhance the surrounding environment, he instructed that tree pits along the roads be filled with soil, cleared of debris, and properly maintained. He emphasized that roads should be washed and cleaned, and that only upon verification of finishing work, including thermoplastic lining and safety elements, should the roads be opened to traffic.
Independent Teams for Timely Completion
To ensure the timely completion of footpaths and carriageways, dedicated teams must be deployed in adequate numbers. Availability of mastic material, supply chain logistics, production capacity of mastic plants, MoUs with suppliers, and skilled labor should all be confirmed. Mr. Bangar has clearly directed engineers to take responsibility for these aspects.
For roads where PQC cannot be carried out due to expired DLC curing timelines, mastic asphalt is to be used to ensure road connectivity and completion. All roads must be in a safe and usable condition by May 31, failing which strict penalties will be enforced.
“Riding Quality” Must Be Comfortable for Commuters
Mr. Bangar reiterated that the “riding quality” of roads must provide a smooth commuting experience. Barricades must be removed entirely—not merely placed on footpaths—and shifted to storage depots by the contractor. Roads and adjoining areas, especially junctions, should be completely obstruction-free before opening.
Site Inspections: Key Road Projects Reviewed
During his late-night visit on May 22, Mr. Bangar inspected several roads including:
- Ramnath Goenka Marg
- Naoroji Hill Road No. 9
- Dumayne Road
- Mauji Rathod Marg (B Ward)
- R. S. Sapre Marg (C Ward)
- New Prabhadevi Road (G South Ward)
At Dumayne Road, eight ducts—each 300mm wide—were installed below the road due to the high number of electrical cables, per a request from BEST. At R.S. Sapre Marg, pending road sections will be completed using mastic asphalt to ensure connectivity to junctions.
At Mauji Rathod Marg, the DLC period has concluded, and PQC work is to follow, with remaining areas completed in mastic. Similarly, New Prabhadevi Road, where DLC is complete but PQC is unfeasible, will be finalized using mastic asphalt to ensure readiness before the May 31 deadline.
Technical Input from IIT Experts
Mr. Bangar referenced technical advice from IIT Bombay experts, noting that after PQC work, only one-third of the area undergoes joint cutting, while natural joint cracks should form in the remaining section. In cases where such cracks do not naturally form even after seven days of curing, controlled traffic using loaded trucks can be used to activate the cracks and prevent structural issues. Instructions to this effect will be formally issued to all engineers.
Present during the review were:
- Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure) Mr. Shashank Bhore
- Chief Engineer (Roads & Traffic) Mr. Girish Nikam
- Assistant Professor Mr. Solomon Debbarma from IIT Bombay
- Quality control representatives and other concerned officials
