Safe and pothole free road: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde warns of action

THANE: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has warned government departments and contractors of stern action if they fail to ensure safe and pothole free roads and highways cutting through Thane and adjoining region in the coming monsoon, officials informed Sunday.
The warning, said officials, was issued by Shinde at a late Saturday night review meeting called to analyse the pace of ongoing infra works in Thane and metropolitan region and its impact on the traffic situation in the lake city.
The intention is to ensure Mumbaikars travelling to and from the city to neighbouring regions don’t face any snarls due to slow moving traffic on potholed roads and also prevent any pothole-related deaths in the metropolitan region, said officials.
It may be recalled that as many as six deaths were reported last monsoon due to bad condition of roads in the chief minister’s stronghold of Thane alone.
“All agencies should fill potholes and repair roads before the monsoon. Even a small pothole can prove fatal during the rains. Poor quality work will not be tolerated under any circumstances. In case of any neglect, strict action will be taken against the concerned officials and contractors holding them directly responsible if any potholes develop on the stretches under their jurisdiction,” Shinde told the officials.
In view of the increasing traffic congestion in Thane city, Shinde also instructed agencies to complete ongoing development works in and around Thane and Mumbai or bring them to a safe stage before June 1.
Shinde also directed the Mumbai corporation to ensure the BMC pipeline road which runs parallel along a certain stretch of the Nashik highway to repair and bring it into good condition for use as an alternative for traffic. In addition, he directed teams to expedite work on the Mumbra bypass road, Bhiwandi-Kasheli road, ongoing road repair work on the Nashik highway ahead of the monsoon and empowered agencies to use additional manpower and ensure 24x7 work.
He also directed the Thane authorities to take action on parked vehicles on Eastern Express Highway and Ghodbunder road service roads and provide them with alternate parking spaces.