BMC Rejects Engineer’s Explanation in Bandra West Road Width Certification Case
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has found the explanation submitted by an assistant engineer of the H-West ward regarding alleged false certification of road widths in Bandra West to be unsatisfactory and lacking proper justification, civic officials confirmed.
The issue surfaced after a complaint alleged that incorrect road-width measurements were officially certified to benefit a private developer undertaking a redevelopment project in the H-West ward. According to the complaint, the Gaothan road was certified as having a width of 6 metres, while Boran road was shown as 9 metres wide. However, on-ground measurements reportedly indicate that the actual widths are only 4.4 metres for Gaothan road and 7.4 metres for Boran road.
Following the complaint, the assistant commissioner of the H-West ward issued a show-cause notice to the concerned assistant engineer, seeking a detailed explanation for the discrepancy. After reviewing the response, civic authorities concluded that the explanation was incomplete, did not address key issues raised in the notice, and failed to provide credible evidence or mitigating circumstances.
According to BMC officials, the reply neither justified the mismatch between certified and actual road widths nor satisfactorily explained the procedural lapses. “The explanation lacks reasoning and does not deal with the specific allegations. Despite being given adequate opportunity, the engineer failed to submit a convincing and reasoned response,” an official said.
Earlier, the engineer had claimed that the road status remarks were issued nearly a year and a half ago and that the reduction in road width occurred due to subsequent encroachments. The official also stated that the Building Proposal Department was informed of the situation and denied that the developer had gained any undue advantage.
Activist Santosh Daundkar, who brought the issue to light, has demanded a full-fledged inquiry into the matter. He has also called for the cancellation of the Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) granted to the developer and urged the Mumbai Fire Brigade to review the no-objection certificate issued for the project.
Daundkar pointed out that under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, road width directly influences permissible Floor Space Index (FSI), building height, and eligibility for redevelopment schemes. He further cited provisions under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, which mandate minimum road widths to ensure proper fire-fighting access.
Civic officials said further action will be decided after internal review, including possible disciplinary proceedings against the concerned official.
Our Thoughts
The Bandra road-width controversy highlights the serious consequences of inaccurate certifications in urban redevelopment projects. Road width plays a crucial role in safety, planning, and regulatory compliance, especially in densely populated areas like Mumbai. The BMC’s rejection of the explanation signals a necessary step toward accountability, but a transparent inquiry and corrective measures will be essential to restore public trust and ensure that development does not compromise safety or fairness.