Mumbai: Aarey Colony locals warn don’t want shoddy repairs as filling of potholes begins

Workers carry out pothole-filling work on an internal road in Aarey Milk Colony

Following a mid-day report about pothole-ridden internal roads inconveniencing residents of Aarey Milk Colony, the authorities have started repair work. Locals have, however, pointed out that unless the filling is done correctly, the craters will return when rain resumes.

mid-day had reported about the crater-filled roads in its June 18 edition. While contractors have started the work on many internal roads, residents have raised questions on the quality. Resident Prabhu Swami told mid-day, "The roads of Aarey shouldn't be called roads. They are rollercoaster rides. The contractors take up the work but never do it properly. There needs to be strict action, and penalties should be levied on contractors if roads develop potholes after repair."

Resident Rikita Pai said, "The pothole repair work appears to be nothing but an eyewash. The potholes are being filled up with just a dry mix of gravel which will be washed out again with rain. There needs to be a permanent solution for this the way we have on highways and roads outside of the colony."

The worst-hit patch is a busy road that goes from Aarey market towards Royal Palms. Aarey colony has many dairy farms that transport milk outside the area. They say bad roads also impact the milk tempos as they cannot run faster than 10 kmph.

Rupesh Shukla, a Royal Palms resident, said, "They have started temporary pothole filling work but once the rain resumes, the potholes will reopen because of the shoddy work. For the past three years, the condition of internal roads has only worsened and local politicians only give assurances."

10
Speed in kmph that milk tempos limit themselves to here