'Tarikh Pe Tarikh..': Maha Dy CM Eknath Shinde's Announcement Of 'Fully Concretised Mumbai Roads By 2027' Draws Flak On Social Media

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that Mumbai’s road network would be fully concretised and made pothole-free by April 2027. Addressing the media, Shinde said his government, since taking charge in 2022, had committed to concretising 700 kilometres of city roads, out of which work on 400 kilometres is currently underway.

“Between December 2026 and March-April 2027, 100 per cent of Mumbai's roads will be concretised,” Shinde declared. He also stated that special utility ducts are being laid along these roads to avoid future digging and repeated damage for maintenance works.

Shinde's Announcement Draws Flak

However, the announcement has sparked criticism from the opposition and citizens alike. Many have mocked the government for repeatedly shifting deadlines. Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi posted sarcastically on social media, saying, “The joke keeps writing itself over and over again.” NCP-SP Mumbai General Secretary Janak Keshriya in his post said, “Tarikh pe tarikh chalti rahegi… because the contract was given to contractors who had no previous experience.”

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Shinde, who also holds the Urban Development portfolio, was on a city-wide inspection of road concretisation work ahead of the monsoon. Accompanied by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Mumbai Suburbs’ Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and other civic officials, Shinde visited several roads across South Mumbai and the eastern suburbs. His inspection included Bombay Hospital Road, R S Sapre Road, J Jamshed Road in Matunga, and Road No. 21 in Chembur.

During his inspection, Shinde stressed the use of 'M60' grade material for the Ultra Thin White Topping (UTWT) technique, claiming that the roads would last 25 to 30 years. “These roads will be durable, accident-free, and pothole-free,” he asserted. He further instructed officials to ensure work quality is not compromised and warned of strict action against contractors failing to meet standards.

Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and other opposition leaders have previously raised concerns over alleged financial irregularities in the road concretisation project. They have questioned the transparency of contracts and quality assurance measures being undertaken.

Despite the backlash, Shinde maintained that concretisation was the only viable solution for Mumbai’s long-standing pothole problem and insisted that the city would see long-term relief by 2027. The project, if completed as promised, could mark a major shift in Mumbai’s urban infrastructure.