Consider developing AI system to curb road digging, manage utility disruptions in Mumbai, guardian minister Ashish Shelar tells BMC

Mumbai: Consider developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system to anticipate frequent digging of roads and repeated disruption of critical utility lines such as gas, electricity, and water, and manage such situations more efficiently, local BJP MLA and guardian minister Ashish Shelar told BMC during a meeting held by BMC's roads department at H-West ward office."There were two recent instances of utility lines disrupted. Hence, it was felt...that technology could be used to improve the time taken to resolve such issues...," Shelar said, adding that this would include inter\agency coordination, thereby reducing repeated road digging and ensuring faster resolution of citizens' complaints.
Currently, the BMC is carrying out road concreting works across various parts of the city, which will be halted only by May 31, before the arrival of the monsoon.Shelar also reviewed the progress of road concreting works in H-West ward, which includes Bandra, Khar and Santacruz. Of the 306 roads in the ward, 192 major roads were identified for cement-concrete works and are being executed in three phases. Work on 168 roads under the first two phases is underway, while the remaining 24 roads will be taken up in the third phase.Of these, 68 roads have been completed so far, while work on several others is expected to continue post-monsoon. Shelar directed officials to undertake day-wise planning for works on high-traffic roads to minimise disruption. Acknowledging the inconvenience caused, he apologised to residents, but said that by May 31, concreting work on 75 roads would be completed, moving the locality closer to becoming pothole-free.