With the city receiving heavy rainfall since the onset of monsoon on June 25, potholes have sprung up on most of the city roads, causing traffic congestion and vehicle breakdowns.
On Monday, NGO Watchdog Foundation sent a letter to the chief minister’s office on the issue and called for action against the contractors and civic officials concerned who did not ensure that the road repair works were of good quality.
The BMC’s incompetency in maintaining roads is becoming scandalous and gets particularly exposed during the rains. That a freshly surfaced road for the PM’s visit five months ago develops potholes shows the poor quality of work carried out with cheap materials.Asphalt roads across the city are in such a pathetic state this monsoon that many of them look like holding ponds for rainwater. Mumbai’simage as a global financial centre is at stake here.
“Prior to the PM’s visit on February 10, Church Road at Marol, stretching from Airport Road Metro station up to Bohra Colony, underwent an extensive renovation. The road, footpath, street lamps and ornamental plants and graffiti were completely redone at considerable expense. Senior BMC officials supervised the work for nearly 15 days. It is disheartening to report that in less than five months since its resurfacing, Church Road is already riddled with potholes,” said advocate Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation. The NGO suggested that to ensure better quality control of road works and repairs, an independent agency should conduct the material testing. “Only when the contractor’s work meets the specifications, should their bills be certified. This approach would help ensure road quality,” said the NGO.
When contacted, officials of K-East ward, which covers Andheri (E), Jogeshwari (E) and Vile Parle (E), said the road was laid temporarily during PM Modi’s visit in February. “It will be made cement-concrete during fair season,” said a ward official.
