Cat’s Eye curse on Barfiwala flyover

Less than 10 days after its in auguration, the flyover has found its equivalent of the Lalbaug flyover potholes in the form of improperly installed road reflectors

Cat's Eye curse on Barfiwala flyover

Less than 10 days after its in auguration, the flyover has found its equivalent of the Lalbaug flyover potholes in the form of improperly installed road reflectors

LESS than 10 days after its southern arm was thrown open to traffic, the Barfiwala flyover seems to be going the Lalbaug way in terms of quality of construction.

A security guard assembles the broken road markers (Cat Eye) on the Barfiwala flyover

While potholes proved to be the bane of the Lalbaug flyover, the Cat's Eye (reflective road markers) is set to be the cause of the Barfiwala flyover's fall from grace.

When MiD DAY visited the flyover last morning, we observed that the reflectors had come off in some places and were close to coming off in others.

When we brought this to the notice of a senior MMRDA official, he passed on the blame to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

"MMRDA's role in Barfiwala flyover was limited to funding the project and since the MSRDC is executing it, only that body can comment on the Cat's Eye issue.

MSRDC Chief Engineer Subhash Naga said, "It is true that the reflectors have come off the road surface in places and the rain showers a day prior to the June 20 inauguration are to blame for this. They could not be fixed properly because the surface was not completely dry."

Nage added, however, that the cost for reinstalling the Cat's Eye would be borne by the contractor.

"We will soon reinstall the reflectors as soon as the rain stops to ensure that they stick properly and do not come off again."

Did you know?
British manufacturer and inventor Percy Shaw patented Cat's eye road studs in 1934. It was introduced on British roads in 1947.

The northern arm of the Rs 42.5 crore flyover is expected to be thrown open to traffic in November