BMC begins removing mastic layer from Coastal Road

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has started the process of removing the mastic layer from the Haji Ali bridge an official statement said on SaturdayThe Mumbai civic body said that it was placed as a protective measure under the Mumbai Coastal Road South ProjectThe layer will be removed over the next few days and fresh asphalt will be laid within the next one to two days said the statementIt said that the mastic layer which was applied as a temporary measure was originally added to prevent damage to the road during the monsoon season It was placed on the inner and main bridges to prevent expansion of joints and to ensure the durability of the road surfaceThe statement said that the road which had been paved with asphalt before July 2024 had some areas where the joints had widened To prevent further damage and ensure the road remains strong the mastic was applied in specific areas before the monsoonThe BMC said that the Mumbai Coastal Road South is completely safe and free of any cracks or potholesThe work to remove the mastic layer and reasphalt the road is being carried out quickly and efficiently The road will soon be back to normal providing smooth and safe travel for commuters it saidIn an earlier statement the BMC had stated the that visuals and images of an additional mastic layer applied on the bridge near Haji Ali on the Dharmveer Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road South project are being circulated in the media These visuals have led to allegations that the project has construction flaws However the BMC administration strongly asserts that these claims are baseless The project is completely safe and there are no cracks or potholes on the roadThe patches visible in the viral videos and photos on social and mainstream media are not signs of damage but rather a preventive measuremdashthe mastic layer has been applied to strengthen the surface and prevent potholes The BMC assures that the roadrsquos surface will be restored to its original appearance within 15 to 20 days the civic body had stated in a statement issued earlierThe northbound lane of the Mumbai Coastal Road from Chowpatty to Worli was opened for traffic in July 2024 after proper asphalt layering Over time minor expansion of joints was observed in some areas To prevent further widening and to ensure the durability of the asphalt an additional mastic layer was applied This precautionary measure aims to protect the road from damage during the monsoon season preventing potholesA fresh layer of asphalt meeting all technical standards will be applied soon and the roadrsquos appearance will be fully restored within 15 to 20 days it had statedThe BMC requests all citizens and media outlets not to believe or circulate incomplete or misleading information regarding the Mumbai Coastal Road project the BMC had said