Mumbai's Rs 248-Crore Mrinaltai Gore Flyover Sparks Anger Over Patchy Road Surface

The newly opened Rs 248-crore extension of the Mrinaltai Gore flyover in Mumbai has triggered public anger and quality concerns after motorists flagged multiple uneven and patchy stretches on the road surface. The complaints emerged on social media within hours of the flyover opening to traffic.

Commuters and motorists expressed concern over the quality of the newly laid road surface, sharing images and flagging the rough, uneven patches. The public reaction prompted swift attention from municipal leadership.

Following the public complaints, Mayor Ritu Tawde announced that she has ordered a site inspection of the flyover. Mayor Tawde stated that action would be sought against the contractor and the concerned officials if the inspection reveals that the work was executed below the required standards.

However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) defended the quality of the project. The civic body maintained that the visible roughness and patchy appearance of the road are actually a standard part of the mastic asphalt laying process.

BMC officials explained that stone chippings are intentionally spread over the surface to improve friction and provide better skid resistance for vehicles. According to the civic body, freshly laid 40mm-thick mastic asphalt often appears rough and uneven, especially in sections where manual work is involved.

The BMC stated that the surface is expected to look more uniform after it undergoes regular vehicular movement over time.

Additionally, the civic body ruled out any structural or design defects on the flyover extension. A technical inspection carried out by the BMC's bridges department concluded that there was no evidence of structural deficiencies, design flaws, workmanship defects, or surfacing failures on the newly opened structure. Addressing further complaints about noticeable joints on the road, the BMC stated that visible joints are simply a part of technical roadwork.