Monsoon turns Mumbai into an oasis of potholes
The annual monsoon has laid bare Mumbai's streets, revealing potholes that now dare passing vehicles to cross without risking an axle break.
Pothole-led casualties on rise
The city, along with its neighboring suburbs, frequently faces pothole-related accidents, particularly affecting motorcyclists. A poignant yet motivating story is that of Dadasaheb Bilhore, a suburban resident. After losing his son in a pothole-induced crash nine years ago, Bilhore embarked on a mission to fill potholes and prevent similar tragedies.
Transport expert criticises Mumbai's roads
Transport expert Ashok Datar said, "New roads need a higher surface area at the centre and sloped sides so rainwater can quickly drain through the stormwater drains. Otherwise the rain will damage the roads further."
'Pothole economy'
Experts claim there exists a thriving "pothole economy" where each repair seemingly leads to a financial windfall.
'Strict vigilance to keep shoddy construction in check'
Milind Mhaske, CEO of the NGO Praja, which publishes an annual report card on civic issues, stated that the BMC should focus on properly enforcing the contracts for road construction and repair. "Strict vigilance is needed to ensure that contractors do not get away with shoddy construction. If potholes surface after that, a steep penalty should be levied," he said.
Contractor fined Rs 50 lakh for potholes on Santacruz-Chembur link road extension
Two days after TOI highlighted images of large potholes on the BKC-LBS Marg flyover, a section of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension project, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) fined the contractor Rs 50 lakh.
Big promises on paper; it's fulfillment still a mirage
For this monsoon, the BMC plans to allocate Rs 1 crore to each of the 24 administrative wards to address potholes on roads narrower than six meters, while Rs 2 crore is set aside for roads wider than six meters by the central agency. Despite the crater-filled conditions on the Eastern and Western Express Highways, a separate Rs 150 crore has been designated specifically for pothole repairs on these major roads.