05 December,2013 11:30 PM IST | | Vinita Devendra
Traders and suppliers who have to wind their way to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) spice market every day have been having a hard time getting to the spot, with construction work on the new road leading to it progressing very slowly - only 30 per cent of the work has been completed in 18 months.
Ups and downs: The entire stretch has been dug up for the construction of the road, where water often accumulates
The construction was meant to commence by May 15, 2012, and end within 15 months from commencement - November 2013. The deadline has come and gone, but only 30 per cent of the work being completed.
Every day, thousands of trucks and tempos arrive for trade, but the poor condition of the road makes matters very difficult for the drivers and other commuters. The entire stretch has been dug up for the construction of the road, where water often accumulates.
"The work has been going on for many months, but we don't have sufficient space to park our trucks and offload our spice bags and space - if one truck is unloading stuff, the others can't even pass by," said Sunil Ravat trader in the APMC spice market.
The MNS has taken up this issue with the markets chief official Sudhir Tungar, telling him ensure that the work is completed as soon as possible, and that the contractor should not be given a penny more, as he has already been paid Rs 48 crore before.
Last Thursday, the party's Navi Mumbai branch undertook a rally to demand for speedy completion of the road's construction.
"We are doing all other legal paperwork relating to the accounts of the construction, so that the constructors are not paid extra money for the construction and to make sure that the work is completed in 12 months," said Sandeep Thakur, MNS secretary for Navi Mumbai.u00a0
