Mumbai: After a citizens group questioned the large expenditure on pothole repairs by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) despite the concretisation of roads, the civic body revealed that its spending on pothole repairs on roads other than the Western and Eastern Express Highways has reduced by approximately 55% compared to last year.
Reduction in Tender Values
The BMC stated that it has floated tenders worth Rs 93 crore for the entire city this year, including the Western and Eastern Express Highways. The amount has consistently decreased over the past few years. While the civic body had floated tenders worth Rs 90 crore last year for potholes in the entire city, excluding the Western and Eastern Express Highways, this year it is only Rs 40 crore.
Breakdown of the Tenders
Of the tenders worth Rs 93 crore, Rs 50 crore is allocated for the two highways—the Eastern and Western Expressways—Rs 40 crore is for the rest of the roads across the city, and Rs 3 crore is for roads with a width of less than 6 metres.
An official explained: "The money spent on pothole repairs, excluding the highways, in the city has consistently reduced over the last three years. In 2023, it was Rs 203 crore; in 2024, it was Rs 156 crore; in 2025, it was Rs 90 crore. This year, it is just Rs 40 crore, which can be attributed to the concretisation of the roads."
Citizen Group's Concerns
The Watchdog Foundation questioned the high amount of money spent on pothole repairs despite road concretisation and urged the civic body to ensure judicious and accountable use of taxpayers' money.
