PWD to spend Rs 50 lakh to repair Aarey colony road

Motorists using the pothole-ridden Aarey Milk Colony Road will soon have a smooth ride.

Following a series of stories published in MiD DAY about the road connecting the Western Express Highway to Powai and Marol, officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) have started major repair work costing Rs 50 lakh.

Filling in the gaps: After repeated complaints from motorists, repairs finally began on the bumpy road on Sunday

The important road, which comes under the jurisdiction of Aarey Dairy and is maintained by PWD, has been a big nuisance to motorists. They complain that although they pay toll for using the road, it is uneven and accident-prone owing to loose paver blocks and the huge craters dotting the stretch.

In June, MiD DAY had carried a report about the uneven road (‘Toll charged to use Aarey Colony road in Mumbai raises stink') following which minor repairs had been carried out. But these didn't stick and soon, motorists were complaining once again of the backbreaking stretch (‘‘Repaired' potholes turn to craters in two weeks,' July 4).

Last month, during a meeting between local MLA Ravindra Waikar, local corporator Jitendra Valvi, local tribals and Aarey CEO Ashok Jadhav, the issue of potholes on the road was discussed.

Taking cognisance of the articles published in MiD DAY, major repairs began late on Sunday night. PP Darade, executive engineer, PWD, said, "We have started major repair work of the important Aarey Milk Colony Road and within two weeks the work will be completed."

25,000
Number of vehicles that ply on the road on a daily basis

Rs 3.5 lakh
Revenue generated from toll each day on the road

Rs 1.89 lakh
Profits made by the contractor through toll collection every day

Rs 6 crore
Profits made by the contractor from toll collection per yearu00a0
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