Shoddy work done by contractors responsible for potholes on the flyover as cost of the project escalated four times.
Potholes have started appearing on India’s first double decker flyover Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) which was inaugurated just two years back. The SCLR which was delayed for more than 11 years is an important arterial road which connects Western Express Highway and Eastern Express Highway. Due to the presence of potholes on the SCLR traffic is moving at a snail’s pace on this road inviting the ire of motorists.
RTI activist Anil Galgali has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking him to take action against the contractor for the shoddy work which has resulted into potholes on the Santacruz Chembur Link Road. The sinking of the road leading to Kurla (E) on the first floor is also dangerous as lakhs of passengers travel in the trains of central railway which runs on the route passing below the road. The IAS officer under whom the current road repairs scam has occurred, was in charge of this project too. Inspite of spending Rs 420 crores instead of Rs 108 crores as planned the situation of the SCLR is pathetic.
“The condition of the road at Chedda Nagar is substandard. The closure of the right turn towards Kurla station (W) for vehicles coming from Kalina end was also responsible for the increased traffic at the SCLR first floor junction as vehicles including BEST double and single decker buses, trucks etc are forced to take a U turn from that junction leading to further deterioration of the SCLR,” said Galgali
“The road was constructed by Gammon India and though the SCLR has been handed over to MCGM for maintenance, the construction agency being MMRDA and MSRDC are equally responsible for any eventualities in future, including all the government machineries,” he added.
Mohammed Murtuza, a Mira road resident said, “I had to board Pawan express from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 12.15 but our vehicle remained stuck near university at Santacurz for more than one and half hour. By the time we reached LTT it was already 12.40 as we missed our train. There was too much potholes on the road which led to traffic snarls.”
Ashwin Deshmukh a Kurla resident said, “Buses are available for me from Kurla for reaching my office at Kandivali. Since it takes more than 1 hour for me to reach SCLR due to traffic hence I prefer to use suburban trains for commuting to office for saving time.”
“Even though we have filed several complaints with the BMC highlighting about rising potholes on SCLR but officials have turned a blind eye towards it. If the civic body fails to maintain this important road then imagine about the condition of other roads which have been neglected for several years. Many a times the potholes are covered with mud and temporary materials because of which they reappear,” said Arun Gadekar a Tilak Nagar resident.
