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The BMC's strategic plan involves the conversion of Mumbai's road infrastructure to enhance durability and reduce maintenance costs. With around 2,050 km of roads threading through the city, the shift towards cement concrete roads represents a significant infrastructural upgrade. P Velarasu, the Additional Municipal Commissioner, confirmed the upcoming tender, highlighting the inclusion of minor roads ranging from three to six metres in width for concreting.
To date, the BMC has successfully converted 1,148 km of roads into concrete, with 990 km completed by 2022 and an additional 158 km in 2023. The ongoing phase targets another 400 km, continuing the momentum of this extensive road transformation effort.
The journey towards modernising Mumbai's roads has not been without its challenges. A notable setback occurred with the cancellation of a INR 1,600 crore contract for south Mumbai, attributed to the contractor's failure to start work. This interruption has prompted the BMC to seek new bids, particularly for the southern part of the city, where progress has been notably slow.
The concreting process, as outlined in the tender documents, is expected to span at least 24 months, excluding the monsoon seasons. The process is supposed to start by October 2024. This timeline underscores the complexity and scale of the project.
There has been heavy political scrutiny of the BMC's ambitious project, with Shiv Sena (UBT) raising concerns over the financial implications and oversight of the project. Critics call for transparency in the imposition and collection of fines, alongside a demand for stringent eligibility criteria for contractors involved in this monumental undertaking. In response to the concerns raised, P Velarasu assured that penalties levied on contractors would be diligently recovered, ensuring accountability and integrity in the execution of the project.
In conclusion, as Mumbai embarks on this transformative journey to revamp its road infrastructure, the city stands at the turning point of a new era in urban mobility. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges, from managing traffic disruptions to ensuring fiscal and operational accountability. This ambitious project not only promises a more resilient and efficient road network but also tests the BMC's capacity to navigate the complexities of large-scale urban development projects.
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