- Khar West residents are frustrated by ongoing roadwork delays, power outages, dust pollution, and construction debris.
- Despite BMC assurances that work on the 10th and 11th Roads will be completed by April, residents remain sceptical due to a lack of signboards and repeated disruptions.
Residents of Khar West, Mumbai, India, are struggling with persistent power cuts, dust pollution, and road hazards due to prolonged concretisation work on 10th and 11th Roads. On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, several buildings along 11th Road endured hours without electricity, a recurring issue linked to the ongoing construction.
Ironically, earlier that morning, residents had gathered for a meeting with BMC officials and former corporator Alka Kerkar to address their grievances about the unfinished roadwork. However, despite the discussion, concerns remain over the project’s slow progress and the lack of accountability.
Work on the 10th and 11th Roads began in December 2024, yet residents claim that large portions of the dug-up roads are left untouched for weeks. Many demanded clarity on the reasons for the delay, with some calling for an official timeline.
“There was little clarity on what’s causing the delay,” said Shalini Shome, a resident who organised the meeting. “But we finally got some answers—one of the delays is due to Adani Electricity setting up an additional power line for future contingencies.”
Officials assured residents that work on 10th and 11th Roads would be completed by April 2025. They also mentioned that the concretisation of 7th Road, a major bus route, would begin next week and be finished by May 2025, ahead of the monsoon.
Despite these promises, residents remain sceptical. Civic rules mandate signboards displaying project timelines, but none have been implemented.
The slow-moving roadwork has left the neighbourhood covered in dust and cement, leading to health concerns and environmental damage. Residents listed multiple issues during the meeting, including indiscriminate dumping of debris, which blocks sidewalks and reduces walking space.
Beyond the dust and debris, residents have been dealing with repeated electricity and gas outages. Many blame the roadwork for disrupting power lines and pipelines. “It took five hours to restore power today,” said Gina Kohli, a resident of 11th Road. “This has happened at least eight or nine times in recent months.”
A BMC official at the meeting admitted that the delays were due to multiple underground utilities, making excavation difficult. The official also said that Adani Electricity and MGL (Mahanagar Gas Limited) officials were overseeing the work to prevent further disruptions.
A final decision regarding the upcoming work on 7th Road is still pending, leaving many residents uncertain about future disruptions. While some attendees found the meeting somewhat productive, most residents remain doubtful about seeing real improvements anytime soon.
With power cuts, pollution, and incomplete roads disrupting daily life, Khar West residents are growing increasingly frustrated. Now, they wait to see if the BMC’s promises will finally lead to action—or if they will be left struggling for months to come.