Mumbai: Potholes extend journey on 6-km stretch to 2 hours

The pothole-ridden stretch on the Ahmedabad highway

Motorists on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway are forced to move at a snail's speed due to hundreds of potholes between Varsova bridge and Naigaon. This is causing massive traffic jams near Malji Pada in both directions.

Those driving towards Vasai after crossing the northbound carriageway of Varsova bridge have to brave potholes of all sizes on a 200 to 300-metre stretch. While the inconvenience is compounded during peak hours, the uneven surface with scattered rubble and stone crush mixture puts two-wheeler riders at great risk.

A few regular travellers on the route said they sometimes spend about two hours covering the 6-km stretch between Vasai Phata and Malji Pada. While a new flyover is coming up on the highway near Malji Pada, the road below on either side is in a bad shape.

Left with no option, the traffic department has begun allowing traffic only in one direction on the Varsova bridge to free congestion on the overpass and its two ends.

Also read: When will we have a permanent solution to potholes?

As his vehicle got stuck in a jam, Hitendra Pachkale said, "We pay road tax but the roads are not maintained. We don't know what we are paying the toll for. Authorities should be blamed for the traffic due to the potholes. With fuel prices going through the roof, how would a common man survive?" Parag Raorane, another motorist, said, "The bridge provides important connectivity and with such potholes, there are ambulances stuck in long lines of vehicles entering or departing Mumbai. Bridge work should be expedited and also the traffic should be cleared by the traffic police."

Hitendra Pachkale, a motorist

He said few locals ride their vehicles on the wrong side of the roads which creates more hurdles. He rued, "No action is taken against such vehicles by the on-duty officials."

NHAI Project Director Tushar Vyas said, "Time and again we have instructed the contractor constructing the bridge near Malji Pada to complete the repair work of the road below on either side. He has assured us he will complete it."

Vyas said the work on the remaining stretch of the unfinished road will be completed after the monsoon but during the season the potholes will be repaired. He added, "We have also instructed the toll operator to repair the potholes at other locations if any."