Serious concerns have emerged over the quality of the ongoing ₹63-crore cement road project on the key KB (Kalyan–Badlapur) Road in Ulhasnagar. Several social organisations and local political leaders have called for allegedly substandard sections to be demolished and rebuilt, insisting that the remaining work adhere strictly to prescribed engineering standards.
The issue gathered pace after residents and daily commuters reported potholes, surface cracks and uneven stretches on portions of the road that were recently completed. Citizens claim visible defects have appeared even before the project’s completion, raising doubts about workmanship and material quality.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has demanded a third-party audit by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. MNS district president Bandu Deshmukh alleged large-scale irregularities, claiming inferior materials were being used. He also accused officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) of ignoring visible lapses in construction quality.
Deshmukh said cracks have already appeared in multiple cement slabs, with sand and gravel reportedly visible at several spots — signs, he alleged, of compromised construction. He further claimed that the contractor did not follow mandatory specifications, including the use of M-40 grade ready-mix concrete and DLP-15 for the PCC base layer.
Residents have also questioned the construction method. Social activist Satyajit Burman alleged that new cement layers were laid directly over the old road without dismantling it. He warned that this could leave roadside shops below the new road level, increasing the risk of rainwater entering commercial establishments during the monsoon.
Burman added that early signs of cement peeling and pothole formation suggest poor execution and warned that the road’s durability could suffer unless corrective measures are implemented immediately.
MNS leaders have also flagged excessive dust pollution at the construction site, alleging that the contractor failed to take basic mitigation steps such as regular water sprinkling. They said the dust was adversely affecting the health of residents, shopkeepers and motorists.
Amid mounting criticism, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Ashwini Nikam and MLA Kumar Ailani conducted a site inspection. They reviewed the quality and progress of the project and instructed the contractor to ensure strict compliance with technical and safety standards, warning that negligence would invite stern action.
The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation has reportedly identified certain deficiencies and written to the PWD seeking corrective steps.
Speaking to TOI, PWD Ulhasnagar division engineer Prashant Mankar acknowledged that shortcomings had been observed at a few locations. He said notices had been issued to the contractor, directing immediate rectification.
Authorities have assured residents that the complaints are under review and that necessary action will be taken to address any confirmed quality issues.
