BMC to spend Rs 450-crore on roads in MHADA layouts

The roads are in MHADA colonies at Charkop, Lokhandwala (Kandivli East), Tilak Nagar, Kurla, Abhyudaya Nagar, Tagore Nagar, Pant Nagar and Vikhroli

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will construct and repair roads even in MHADA colonies. The BMC has already sanctioned Rs 191 crore for roads in Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority localities and is in the process of sanctioning construction of roads worth around Rs 250 crore for few more MHADA colonies in the next few days.

There are several authorities like MHADA, PWD, MMRDA in Mumbai which construct roads. The maintenance of these roads is also the responsibility of these authorities, but recently the BMC took over the task of providing basic amenities like maintenance and repair of roads, water connection, garbage clearance, etc. under MHADA.

After many complaints about the condition of roads even in MHADA colonies, the BMC had already sanctioned road works worth Rs 191 crore there. Recently when the BMC cleared road construction proposals worth Rs 1,790 crore, it had included roads in MHADA layouts. "The roads in the MHADA layout will be constructed in cement concrete. Some of the proposals were already sanctioned in the standing committee and other proposals will be tabled in the next meeting for approval," said a BMC official.

Out of 40 proposals of roads, five were in MHADA colonies at Charkop, Lokhandwala (Kandivli East), Tilak Nagar, Kurla, Abhyudaya Nagar, Tagore Nagar, Pant Nagar and Vikhroli. Around 46 roads will be constructed in cement concrete which has longer life. There are around 50 MHADA colonies in the city.

But though the administration claims cement concrete roads have a better shelf life, corporators have raised questions about their quality, as the bidding amount is less than about 15 to 25 per cent of the estimated amount. "Though BMC will release 20 per cent cost to contractors in parts from the sixth year onwards for concrete roads, it means contractors will make roads 35-45 per cent below estimated costs. How can one expect good quality with just 50 to 60 per cent of estimated cost?" asked Bhalchandra Shirsat, member of the standing committee.