The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to issue a show cause notice to its road engineer for failing to take immediate and adequate action regarding potholes on Link Road in Andheri. This is the third such instance in approximately two weeks where show cause notices have been issued to BMC road engineers for inadequate action in addressing potholes on BMC-owned roads across Mumbai.

In the first two instances, six road engineers were served show cause notices for the poor condition of roads in Bandra’s Kherwadi and at the T Junction in Dharavi. Additional Municipal Commissioner in charge of the Roads Department, Abhijit Bangar, said, “The show cause notices are not issued due to delays in filling potholes, but in cases where inaction has led to an increase in their size. The point is, we should be proactive in addressing potholes on roads. The aim should be fewer complaints from citizens and more proactive efforts from BMC officials to identify and fill these potholes.”

In both previous cases, the engineers who received the show cause notices were asked to explain their actions to Bangar in person. “Notices are issued with the intent of ensuring accountability. They are not issued with a pre-decided intention of punitive action against road engineers, whether it be fines or dismissal, even in worst-case scenarios. If engineers are able to provide plausible explanations for the delay, we issue a warning,” Bangar said.