Image Source: Mint
The impending onset of the monsoon has prompted activists and commuters to express their concerns about the status of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH48) preparedness. Several stretches of NH48 remain incomplete, patchwork is ongoing, service roads have been left unfinished, bridge safety railings are missing, and there are many stretches that do not yet have any metal crash barriers.
Activists in Palghar district raised the alarm that culverts to carry monsoon water under the highway are clogged and have not been cleared which, they state, poses a risk of waterlogging and accidents on the highway. Congress leader Kuldeep Vartak, meanwhile, has written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and demanded immediate repairs; he threatened agitation if potholes were not filled soon. This is the first time, he noted, potholes appeared on newly constructed cement roads—this is concerning and brings into question the quality of the construction.
From the perspective of frequent commuters, commercial driver Salim reported to The Times of India that the surface of the white-top cement, particularly in Sasunavghar (Vasai East), is already eroding; alleging that there are potholes. Commuters have sent videos and correspondences regarding the damaged state of new road surfaces, with patchwork having only just begun in some locations.
Another issue is the absence of streetlights on the bridges and road overbridges— which is leading to a dangerous state of darkness after sunset. Local resident Harbans Singh Nanade, shared that the uncompleted service roads (particularly at major intersections like Tungar Phata in Vasai East) are already causing congestion on a daily basis, and traffic buildup is expected to worsen now that heavy rains will soon begin.
NHAI Project Director Suhas Chitnis announced that there have been delays for unseasonable rain and because the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is still working on the water pipeline work. Chitnis suggested that the new completion date is now June 15, instead of the original April 30 deadline. He added that the cleaning of drains and culverts was ongoing and that the work to raise the height of the railings on road overbridges was going to take place.
Additionally, as there has been an early onset of monsoon weather in Maharashtra already, individuals are expressing concerns that drivers may not be able to identify water-filled potholes at high rates of speed, risking accidents.
Influencers and activists are requesting repairs and safety measures quickly to avoid tragedies during rainy seasons.
Source: The Times of Indi
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