Mumbai: In the backdrop of state government indicating a probe into the allegations of irregularities and substandard work in the BMC’s Rs 6,632-crore cement concrete road project, Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, at a meeting of MLAs and BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Monday, suggested that minor roads be asphalted and not concretised.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who spoke at the meeting, said all ongoing road concretisation works in Mumbai must be completed by May 31.
The discussion held by over 20 MLAs, focused on addressing concerns about road construction quality and project execution. Many MLA’s suggested using mastic asphalt instead of concrete for minor roads, appointing a nodal officer in each ward to monitor progress and ensure timely completion, and enforcing strict penalties on errant contractors.
Rahul Narwekar told TOI, “A review of all suggestions made to the civic administration will also be taken on April 25.” Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam said, “All MLAs present highlighted the inconvenience residents have been facing owing to utility lines being damaged because of concretisation works leading to electric, water and gas failure on many occasions.” Worli MLA and UBT Shiv Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray said he too had demanded a halt to concretization of minor roads.
BJP’s Bandra West MLA Ashish Shelar said more power should be put in to complete the ongoing road works by May 31, if required. Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha said in his constituency road department sub engineers have sought a transfer as contractors aren’t taking instructions from them.