25 July,2017 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Gaurav Sarkar
After converting the Malla-Sherly road in Bandra from paver blocks to tar and then back to using pavers again, the BMC can't find a permanent solution to the potholes
The current state of the road. Pic/Nimesh Dave
Even as the BMC faces yet another season of backlash over potholes, following the death of a female biker due to one, the civic body has found a way to rile up more citizens. Consider the Malla-Sherly Rajan Road in Bandra West.
Also read: Mumbai woman killed in pothole accident
Last year, just before the monsoons, the BMC decided to convert this paver blocks road into an all-tar one, but due to the work being so fresh during the rains, it was instantly washed out and riddled with potholes. According to residents and members of various ALMs, only patchwork was done as a temporary measure. Now, another year, more rains and the road is yet again filled with potholes. This time, as another temporary measure, the civic body has gone a full circle and filled them up with - paver blocks.
Why the switch?
"In April last year, the paver blocks were taken out and a tar road was made in its place," said Anthony Dsouza, 58, a member of Sherly ALM that has around 13 buildings under it. "By June, because of cheap material and improper gradient, it already had potholes in it," he said. He adds that at the time, corporator Asif Zakaria promised a new road, but it didn't materialise.
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According to Naazish Shah, secretary of Rizvi Complex ALM, "There are celebrities living on the parallel road so it is maintained well. Our area also has a great influx of students and the road is always busy and on the move. It should not be treated as an inside road."
Pattern in place
"It looks like the exact same pattern is repeating itself," said Dsouza, adding, "But patchwork is not a permanent solution. And now the corporator has changed, so who do we hold accountable?"
Meanwhile, ex-corporator Zakaria justified the move and said, "We did a touch up on the road, as it had developed potholes due to shoddy work. As for the paver blocks as temporary arrangement, it is being done across the city. Asphalt doesn't stick to the road during the monsoons."
On the other hand, Swapna Mhatre, the new corporator simply said, "I am a newly elected official and it is my responsibility. I have already spoken with BMC that they fix the road as soon as possible after the rains. They will do the patchwork for now."
