Mumbai: BMC Removes Mastic Coating From Coastal Road’s Haji Ali Stretch After Viral Video, Fresh Resurfacing Underway

Mumbai: The BMC has begun removing the mastic coating placed as a preventive measure on the interchanges and main bridge at Haji Ali along the Mumbai Coastal Road (South). This action follows the viral spread of a video showing patchwork on the Coastal Road.

The coastal road had been resurfaced with bitumen before July 2024. Some sections of the bitumen developed widened joints, and to prevent these joints from expanding further and to ensure the road remained strong and durable, an additional mastic coating was applied in certain areas.

The primary goal behind this was to protect the bitumen from damage due to rainfall before the 2024 monsoon and to prevent the formation of potholes.

The BMC started the process of removing the extra mastic coating on Saturday. "This work is being carried out at a fast pace. Once the coating is removed, fresh bitumen resurfacing will be completed within the next one to two days," said a civic official.

On Friday in a clarification, the BMC stated that the additional mastic layer seen on the Haji Ali stretch in the viral visuals does not signify construction defects.