After barely a few weeks of inconsistent rain, potholes have resurfaced on roads across the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received 320 complaints through its mobile app, disaster control helpline and WhatsApp since June 1. Several others have taken to social media to highlight cratered roads, uneven surfaces and broken paver blocks. The BMC is scrambling to fill potholes since there has been some respite from rain.
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Repairs in vain
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Every year, the BMC undertakes large-scale roadworks ahead of the monsoon, only to face citizens’ wrath when road condition worsens. This year, the BMC undertook extensive work on 1,106 roads across the city, managing to complete only 522 roadworks (reconstruction and repairs). The rest will have to be completed after monsoon. It also completed roadworks left over from last year.
The city has received 794 mm rainfall this monsoon: 32% of its annual average.
“At least half of the 320 complaints have already been addressed. Many of these are old roads, not the ones repaired before monsoon. I have directed all staff to attend to complaints within 24 hours,” said Vinod Chithore, Chief Engineer, Roads and Traffic Department. He blamed the haphazard utility trenching undertaken on roads.
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Mumbaikars, however, are not convinced with the BMC’s explanation. On June 29, Twitter user @ReeshbhGupta wrote of a road in Jogeshwari: “Road Was Constructed 20days Ago and After 20days this is the condition.... why Fooling to us?? Who is responsible for this?”
Peter D’Silva, a resident of Orlem in Malad (West) said, “The condition of Sundar Lane, which connects Orlem to New Link Road, is horrible. There are so many potholes we can’t find the road.”
Godfrey Pimenta of NGO Watchdog Foundation complained of a road in Andheri (East) — Hanuman Mandir Road in Marol Gaothan — that allegedly developed potholes 15 days after being freshly repaired. “The area has two schools … But since this road is in Marol village, the BMC did not bother. What are they talking about repairing within 24 hours? It has been two weeks.”