In 10 days of rain, potholes reappear

Citizens, activists complain of bad roads; BMC says wards, contractors responsible for repairs

Spot the road: Motorists navigate a pothole-ridden road connecting Andheri and Kurla on Monday.

After just over a week of rain, potholes have already sprung up on roads in the city, adding to the ordeal of motorists already troubled by waterlogging and traffic congestion.

Every year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) promises good roads during the rains. But come monsoon, it fails to deliver and roads develop craters. This makes the commute especially difficult for two-wheeler riders and autorickshaw drivers.

Since last Friday, heavy rain — 47.46% of the season’s total average rainfall — has lashed the city. Citizens and elected representatives have expressed concern at the condition of roads, including arterial thoroughfares.

BJP corporator from Goregaon Sandeep Patel said, “We have received several complaints in my area. There are large potholes on Shrirang Sable Marg, Road no. 10, Road no. 3 and Road no. 6 of Motilal Nagar, and Road no.3 and Road no. 12 of Jawahar Nagar.”

Anshul Mehta, a resident of Malad (West), said Link Road, Ramchandra Lane and SV Road are in terrible condition. “There are so many potholes on Link Road. Besides, there is a pothole on SV Road right before the Malad station,” Mr. Mehta said.

Metro works add to woes

Shiv Sena corporator Rajul Patel from Andheri (West) said potholes have cropped up on Veera Desai Road and Quarry Road in her ward. “Besides the BMC roads, wherever Metro work is under way, the condition of roads is really bad. I will take this up with the Municipal Commissioner and ask him to hold a joint meeting with the Metro authorities,” Ms. Patel said.

Irfan Machhiwala, an activist who has been filling up potholes on city roads for more than two years, the western and eastern express highways have developed a large number of craters. Both highways are maintained by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

“We surveyed Western Express Highway (WEH) and Eastern Express Highway (EEH) over a period of one week. We found 86 potholes on WEH and 76 on EEH. We have submitted the list to MMRDA, which has assured us of positive action. People are tweeting to us with complaints regarding roads overseen by the BMC, and tagging the BMC handle has given us prompt response so far,” Mr. Machhiwala, who runs the Twitter handle @PotholeWarriors said.

Activist Godfrey Pimenta said the problem is not just the potholes, but the steps taken to repair them. “In Marol, at one instance, the authorities filled a pothole based on my complaint. But they used cold mix on a wet surface, so it did not stick,” Mr. Pimenta said.

He complained of potholes on Marol’s Church Road and WEH.

Citizens also complained of bad roads on Twitter, posting pictures with their complaints as well. @SunilGhate1 tweeted on Sunday: “potholed #LBSRD Opp Mahindra showroom Vikhroli West making difficult for motorists. This Rd is partly laid by paver blocks (sic).”

Another user, @mysticpoet77, tweeted to Pothole Warriors with a picture of a pothole at Military Road, Marol.

Radio channel @RedFM tweeted, “Another listener Ruchit Shah sent us pictures from near Bisleri Signal, Chakala of #pothole filled #roads (sic)”

@imarasheed tweeted, “Many potholes opp Reay Road station bridge (sic).”

@suheil_merchant tweeted on Sunday, “Check out the two graves right in the center of Juhu Lane, Andheri W junction.motorist ready to get laid in peace (sic).” Mr. Merchant’s complaint was resolved the same day, and he tweeted, “Happy to share with you all that there has been some action on complaint and I have seen a contract worker filling up the potholes pointed out by me today morning. Whoever has initiater this action, KUDOS. But hope it last for long and not one shower (sic).”

‘Cold mix handed over’

Arun Nadgouder, chief engineer of the BMC’s roads department, said the civic body has given cold mix to all 24 wards this year. “It is their responsibility to fill potholes. We have given 50% more cold mix this year. Besides, roads which are under the guarantee period will be repaired by contractors. But trenching undertaken on some roads and heavy rain are some of the reasons for potholes,” he said.