Don't delay in making Thane pothole-free: TMC chief asks officials to complete road works before May 31

TMC Abhijit Bangar in a review meeting with Municipal Engineer Prashant Sonagra, Suburban Engineer Ramdas Shinde, Professor from IIT KV Krishna Rao, Executive Engineers and representatives of contractors. (Pic/TMC)

In a relief to residents and motorists, Thane Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar on Friday asked officials and contractors to complete road work before May 31, 2023.

To make Thane pothole-free, Bangar told officials not to delay road works. "Executive Engineers should start working from now to make Thane pothole-free," he said.

Recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde allocated Rs 391 crore to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for the improvement and upgradation of 156 roads in the city. On Friday, Bangar held a meeting to review the work on 156 roads.

In this meeting, City Engineer Prashant Sonagra, Suburban Engineer Ramdas Shinde, Professor from IIT K. V. Krishna Rao, all Executive Engineers, and representatives of contractors were present.

During the meeting, Bangar told contractors to commence road repair and upgradation works immediately. "If these works are not completed before May 31, strict action will be taken against the contractor," Bangar said.

The Municipal Commissioner also warned contractors of strict action and a penalty if the potholes resurface. "A penalty of Rs 1 lakh will be levied on the contractor if potholes resurface during the defect liability period," a civic official said.

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As per the official release of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), under the 'pothole-free Thane' campaign, 8.5 kilometres of the Thane roads will be cement concretized, 26.69 km of city roads will be upgraded by Ultra Thin White Topping (UTWT) method and 47.51 km of city roads will be upgraded by using the asphalting method.

The state government has allocated Rs 391 crore, with the aim of providing a pothole-free journey for Thanekars. A total of 156 roads, which are 82.73 km of city roads, will be upgraded.

As per the TMC, the state government has sanctioned a total of Rs 605 crore to the Thane Municipal Corporation for road repair and upgradation. It also includes 127 more road works worth Rs 224 crore.

"We are following up with the state government to make this fund available immediately," an official said.