PWD owns up to potholes, sets them right

Passing the buck on road repair by agencies is something the city's residents have become accustomed to, but in an unprecedented first the Public Works Department (PWD) is leading by example.

Paving the way: PWD officials put paver blocks on the bridge near Dahisar toll plaza after potholes surfaced due to heavy rains; (below) officials also put up a board with contact numbers. Pics/Nimesh Dave

The PWD department has hoisted banners on its pothole-riddled subway bridge on the Western Express Highway (WEH) near Dahisar toll plaza, stating that it is responsible for maintaining the stretch. Also the cell phone numbers of junior and senior engineers have been displayed so that motorists facing inconveniences can contact the concerned officials directly.

Speaking to MiD DAY, PWD Executive Engineer B B Lohar said, "We don't want the motorists to unnecessarily blame other government agencies for the potholes on the subway bridge, which the PWD is maintaining and so we have installed small banners on the subway bridge near Dahisar toll plaza."

Bumpy stretch
The subway bridge is perennially busy since motorists take the route after entering the city from Dahisar toll plaza. The pothole-riddled bridge not only slows down traffic movement, leading to massive traffic jams during peak hours, but also increases the risks of two-wheelers skidding.

PWD department started the repair work since Friday, but officials said that it's just a temporary repair and patch-up job.

"We are aware that there are many potholes on the subway bridge on the WEH, which causes snarl-ups. We have already started the repair work on the flyover and the work will be completed at the earliest," said Lohar.

In order to fill the potholes on the WEH, the PWD has formed five teams with 10 labourers in each squad. "Five trucks are making rounds on the WEH and wherever there are potholes, they are immediately filled up," added Lohar.

Banners
Fed up with answering calls from motorists complaining about potholes on some of the flyovers on the Western Express Highway (WEH), the Public Work Department (PWD) put up small black banners at the start of the flyovers maintained by Maharashtra State Road Development (MSRDC) so that motorists call MSRDC and not the PWD.u00a0