BMC Cracks Down on Substandard Roadwork in Bandra West
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken strict action against poor-quality road construction in Mumbai’s H (West) ward, encompassing areas like Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz.
Following a surprise inspection on April 7, 2025, by Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar, significant lapses were identified in the road concreting work on 34th Road in Bandra West.
The inspection revealed that the dry lean concrete (DLC) used as a sub-base layer was substandard. Issues such as poor gradation, flawed mix design, inadequate compaction, and uneven surfaces were noted. Additionally, the required seven-day curing period was not adhered to; the contractor admitted to only three days of curing. Mandatory Field Dry Density (FDD) tests during compaction were also neglected.
In response, the BMC suspended the assistant engineer responsible for the project. The road contractor was fined ₹50 lakh, and the quality monitoring agency faced a ₹25 lakh penalty. Both entities have been instructed to dismantle the substandard work and redo it to meet approved quality standards.
This incident marks the second time in less than a month that the BMC has penalised contractors for subpar roadwork. On April 16, a contractor was blacklisted for delayed work, and four others were fined for compromising material quality.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has emphasised zero tolerance for negligence in road construction. The BMC aims to complete ongoing cement concretisation projects across Mumbai by May 31, 2025, ensuring pothole-free roads through meticulous planning and strict quality control measures.
