Magathane-Goregaon DP Road Stuck: Residents Await Action Despite BMC Order

Mumbai : More than six months after Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner (BMC) Bhushan Gagrani directed officials to proceed with the construction of the long-pending 120-foot Development Plan (DP) road connecting Magathane to Goregaon, the civic body has failed to make any headway, drawing sharp criticism from local residents.

The proposed road, a critical infrastructure link passing through Singh Estate and connecting Lokhandwala Township with Thakur Village, has been reserved under the DP since 1967 and reaffirmed in 1991 and 2034. Despite its partial completion, a 250-metre encroached stretch remains undeveloped, stalling the full benefits of the project—particularly relief from traffic congestion on Akurli Road.

In October 2024, the BMC chief rejected the Chief Minister’s directive to realign the road to avoid slum structures, calling the move technically unfeasible and cost-prohibitive. Gagrani had stated that the project could only be completed once adequate Project Affected Persons (PAP) tenements were available for the displaced residents.

However, residents are growing increasingly frustrated over the civic body’s inaction. On April 11, the Lokhandwala Residents’ Association (LRA), which had earlier filed a public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court over the realignment, submitted a formal representation to the assistant municipal commissioner of R/South ward. The group demanded a time-bound implementation plan and written clarification on progress within 15 days.

“The road is nearly complete. Only a small section remains, which if finished, will drastically ease traffic snarls in the area,” said Shaukat Siddiqui, a member of LRA.

Another LRA member, Devangi Dave, who attended a recent meeting with the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) of Zone 7, added: “We were assured that the work will begin in 15 days. While they may have valid concerns about displacing families, the DMC responded positively to our appeal.”

The situation remains politically charged. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had earlier ordered the realignment of the road following appeals by Magathane MLA Prakash Surve. The proposal, considered during a meeting with the Deputy CM and senior officials in June 2023, included a flyover alternative to preserve existing slum settlements.

The BMC, however, maintained that the realignment would not only inflate project costs but would still necessitate eviction of slum dwellers.

Despite repeated attempts, assistant municipal commissioner Manish Salve could not be reached for comment.

As the stalemate continues, citizens are now pinning their hopes on the municipal administration to uphold its own commitments and ensure timely completion of a project that has languished for decades.