MUMBAI: The normally reticent Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP) has now complained to union minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, about the pathetic condition of National Highway (NH48) between Dahisar and Talasari.
In a letter to the ministry, the BPP said this highway is the only road connectivity to the pilgrimage site of Udvada in south Gujarat, where the community’s most important fire temple, the Iranshah, is located.
"NH-48 Dahisar to Talasari has become a death trap and our community members and senior citizens suffer untold hardships due to poor construction done by NHAI-appointed contractors. All we ask are for our fundamental rights to good roads so that precious lives are not lost,’’ it said.
BPP trustee Adil Malia told TOI that the community lost one of its illustrious members, industrialist Cyrus Mistry, on that road due to poor road conditions and unregulated traffic. "The community has no alternative but to travel on NH48 and the route between Dahisar and Talasari is literally a 'Death Trap'. Several near fatal and serious accidents have been reported,’’ he said.
Filly Bapuna, who frequently drives between Udvada and Mumbai, said, ``Driving on the NH-48 is a harrowing experience. It was cement concreted a few months ago, but there are already potholes everywhere. A new Range Rover had a tyre burst twice on this stretch.’’
Dr Boorjis H. Doctor, who is leading a campaign for a safe NH-48, said he had a near-death experience this year due to the negligence of the road contractor. ``When I complained against the contractor at the Panvel police station, I was astonished to find that the senior inspector was unaware of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms, leave aside enforcing them’’ he said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, advocate Sujay Kantawala, said a journey from Boisar to Mumbai on the NH-48 took six hours.
"My sister has sworn to travel by train only and described this highway as "hell on earth’’.
Meanwhile, highway activist Harbans Singh Nanade, said that despite spending Rs 600 crore on repairing the NH-48, traffic jams and accidents continue to occur.
"This has raised questions about the functioning of NHAI and the contractor. The BRO (Border Roads Organization) is also primarily responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in border areas and difficult mountainous regions. Without wasting time, the services of BRO should be used for NH48 and the Thane - Ghodbunder road for safe travel.
Two ambulances, travelling on Mumbai bound lanes, were seen stuck in Tuesday's traffic jam, and that too on the wrong side on the Gujarat bound lane.
"Many motorists switch lanes the moment they see a traffic jam, further creating a traffic gridlock on the opposite lane as well, with no-one to stop them,’’ said a motorist.
A senior NHAI official said traffic on NH48 is more due to the traffic flow on the Thane - Ghodbunder road.
"Though potholes are there, the main reason was the traffic on the Thane bound lane on the Thane - Ghodbunder road. We are laying mastic on old bridges, said the officer when questioned about potholes on NH48.’’