This Rs 247-crore road was fixed just a week ago!

Little more than a week has passed since potholes on the recently opened Varsova bridge, which spans Vasai creek on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, were filled in the wake of a mid-day report. However, this reporter recently spotted craters on the structure yet again. On Sunday, this reporter travelled on the highway stretch between Mira Road and Manor where the futility of the repair work was plain to see.

Ratna Sawant, who travelled via the same route, said, "It's really annoying to see the condition of Varsova bridge, on which crores of rupees were spent. How long will motorists have to suffer? It seems that the authorities are least bothered, otherwise, the road situation would have improved over the years."

The crater-ridden surface of recently fixed Varsova bridge on July 23. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav

mid-day was the first newspaper to report on the potholes and uneven stretch on the Varsova bridge, highlighting the substandard work. Following this newspaper's article, on June 29, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities sent a notice to the contractor concerned and the bridge's surface was repaired.

When mid-day travelled towards Manor, it noticed potholes at some other spots on the highway while street lights on most flyovers were not working at night, posing a threat to motorists.

mid-day, on June 30, revealed officials' plan to conduct an analysis to determine the cause of the damage on the newly built road and take appropriate action against the contractor. Commuters, activists and politicians have also called for the NHAI officials involved in the Rs 247-crore project to be held accountable.