Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Varun Sardesai has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, urging the civic body to immediately reconsider and halt the proposed Phase-3 of the Mumbai road concretisation project.
In his letter addressed to the BMC chief, Sardesai raised concerns over traffic disruption, incomplete ongoing works and the large financial burden of the proposed project.
The MLA stated that over the past four years, the BMC has undertaken large-scale road concreting work across Mumbai at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 crore. However, he pointed out that many projects remain incomplete, with roads still dug up in several parts of the city.
According to him, residents continue to face traffic congestion, dust pollution and inconvenience because of the unfinished work.
Sardesai also referred to complaints from citizens regarding the poor quality of several completed roads. He further alleged that earlier phases of the project had faced accusations of cartelisation and corruption.
Objection to new Phase-3 proposal
The Bandra East MLA said he had received information that the BMC was planning another large-scale road concreting programme under Phase-3.
According to him, the proposal includes concreting service roads along the Eastern and Western Express Highways, as well as converting several existing asphalt roads into concrete roads.
He argued that many of the service roads are currently in good condition and only require minor repairs instead of complete reconstruction.
Warning over traffic disruptions
Sardesai warned that digging up service roads again would create severe traffic problems for Mumbai residents, who are already dealing with heavy congestion across the city.
He said that carrying out major construction work on busy service roads could place additional pressure on the city’s transport system and lead to further public inconvenience.
The MLA suggested that potholes and damaged patches could instead be repaired using asphalt technology without disturbing the entire road network.
Questions raised over financial burden
The MLA also questioned the need for another large expenditure on road concreting works, which he claimed could cost an additional Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 crore.
Referring to recent remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding economic challenges facing the country, Sardesai asked whether such heavy spending was justified at the present time.
Demand to prioritise existing works
Sardesai urged the BMC to first complete the currently ongoing and unfinished road projects before launching new construction work.
He also asked the civic body to focus on removing encroachments from service roads and improving traffic movement rather than beginning fresh large-scale digging and concreting work across the city.
