Mumbai BMC Launches Massive Concretisation Drive on 677 Roads

Mumbai BMC launches massive concretisation drive on 677 roads, paving the way for smoother traffic, safer roads and a boost to the city’s long‑term infrastructure. On December 2, 2025, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai announced that it has already started work on 677 concrete road projects, totaling 308 km. The city’s mega programme, which covers 2,121 roads, is now 80% complete – a critical step in addressing congestion and public safety.

Background and Context

The “Mumbai BMC concretisation roads” programme is part of the city’s Vision 2025 Urban Development Plan, designed to inner‑city streets, bypasses and arterial roads with high‑strength concrete. The initiative began in October 2024 with a 30‑month timeline, in response to the city’s growing traffic volume, rising accidents on unpaved lanes and unregulated construction around the harbour, lay‑by and the Bandra‑Kurla Complex. Over the past year, Mumbai’s population has surged to 20 million residents, with a large influx of students, professionals and migrant workers, making road safety a public health priority.

The council’s decision to concretise 677 roads now has a ripple effect across the city’s infrastructure, from street lights and drainage to pedestrian crosswalks, thereby improving the user experience for anyone travelling by car, bike or foot.

Key Developments

According to data from the Municipal Dashboard as of December 2, 2025:

• 677 roads currently under concretisation, covering 308 km.
• Of the 2,121 roads earmarked for the project, 790 are fully completed, 575 are partially finished, and 756 remain pending.
• Work on partially finished roads is slated to be “significantly finished” by the end of January 2026, according to Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar.
• Construction started on 90% of the 677 roads last month, when the city’s road department began laying the base layers and renovating drainage systems.
• Contractors are using reinforced concrete with a compressive strength of 50 MPa—a standard that is said to increase pavement life expectancy by at least 30 years.

Commissioner Bangar stated, “Concretisation works have been ongoing from October onwards across the city. Many of the roads which were partially completed have been taken up now and should be significantly finished by January, only after which any new roads shall be taken.” He added that work will kick off on the remaining 756 routes once the current stretch reaches “significantly completed” status.

Impact Analysis

The drive to concretise roads will have far‑reaching effects on commuters, industries and the education sector, especially for international students enrolling at institutions such as the University of Mumbai, IIT Bombay and SIES College.

• Traffic flow will improve dramatically. Simulations from the Mumbai Transport Policy Institute predict a 15‑20% reduction in travel time on key routes including Andheri Western Bypass and Vikhroli‑Ulwe link.
• Fewer potholes mean fewer vehicle repairs and lower maintenance costs, which translates to savings for parents of students who loan cars for campus commute.
• The new concrete surfaces are designed to handle heavy loads, ensuring safer driving conditions for taxis, auto‑rickshaws and micro‑trucks that ferry textbooks, groceries and lab equipment to schools.
• With improved roads, air quality is expected to dip modestly due to reduced idling times—beneficial for students with respiratory conditions.
• Pedestrian safety will be upgraded through integrated crosswalks and ‘no‑intersection’ zones. International students, many of whom walk between hostels and campuses, will encounter fewer wheel‑to‑pedestrian collisions.

However, construction zones will still create short‑term disruptions. From late October to early December, several campus access points are temporarily closed to allow for road layering, requiring students to plan alternate routes.

Expert Insights and Practical Tips

Here are actionable recommendations for students, parents and local businesses:

• Plan Ahead: Check the city’s construction map here to see road closures during peak commuting hours.
• Utilise Public Transit: Remember that the Mumbai Metro lines are expanding, with new stations near the Bandra–Kurla corridor. Using the metro can significantly shorten commute times.
• Use Real‑time Traffic Apps: Google Maps or Hike’s Drive feature provide live updates for congestion on roads undergoing concretisation, allowing you to avoid delays.
• Ask Your Hostels: Many hostels offer shuttle services on the weekends. Coordinate with the hostel administration to align the shuttle schedule with the road work timeline.
• Stay Informed: Follow the BMC’s social media channels for real‑time updates. BMC’s dedicated Twitter handle @BMCMumbai posts daily status updates on roadwork projects.
• Adapt Your Car Care: After driving on newly laid concrete, inspect tyres for wear. Early tyre replacement can prevent accidents and reduce expenses.
• For parents: If you are scheduling your child’s visit in the next six months, consider staying in vacation rentals near the campus to circumvent heavy traffic zones.
• Engage in the “Green Road Initiative”. BMC offers a voluntary “Clean Vehicle Seal” for vehicles that run on electric or hybrid engines—an incentive after roadworks reduce traffic-related emissions.

Looking Ahead

The 677‑road initiative marks the first significant phase of a 3‑year plan that will see the entire 2,121‑road programme completed by mid‑2028. BMC has earmarked a budget of ₹12,400 crore for the full project, with funding sourced through a mix of municipal bonds, the state’s “Infrastructure Growth Fund” and international development loans.

Future milestones include:

• Completion of the 756 pending roads once the current 677 are substantially finished.
• Implementation of smart drainage systems post-concreting to mitigate flooding during July‑August monsoons.
• Installation of LED streetlights with pedestrian‑friendly LED panels on all major roads.
• Integration of “Move‑to‑Work” programmes, encouraging employers to provide bus or ferry services to reduce traffic.

Given the escalating road network demands and the projected 10% annual population increase in Mumbai, the BMC’s concretisation push sets a benchmark for other Indian metros. Experts forecast that the combined upgrades could cut the city’s traffic congestion by up to 25% over the next five years, enhancing productivity and quality of life for residents and students alike.

If you’re planning to study in Mumbai, navigating newly paved roads could mean a smoother transition into campus life. Continuously monitor road construction updates, adjust travel itineraries, and take advantage of the improved safety measures that are now in place.

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