Hardlook Mumbai’s Mega Road Overhaul: 525 km Dug Up, Citizens Gasp Amid Dust and Delays

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) ambitious road concretisation drive has led to the digging up of over 525 km—one-fourth of Mumbai’s 2,050-km road network. Aimed at making the city "pothole-free" by December 2026, the initiative has caused widespread disruption, with residents facing severe dust pollution, traffic snarls, and damaged utilities.

Despite being India’s financial capital, Mumbai’s road network is significantly smaller than other metros like Delhi (33,000 km) and Bengaluru (12,800 km), making the city especially vulnerable to infrastructure stress.

With a tight deadline of May 31 to complete ongoing work ahead of the monsoon, BMC faces mounting challenges, including complaints of substandard work, tree-felling, clogged lanes, and contractor concerns over unmapped utility lines.

While the project promises long-term benefits, citizens across interior lanes and arterial roads are currently struggling through noise, congestion, and crumbling access—paying the price for progress under pressure.